The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and the National Building Review Board (NBRB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the design and implementation of Uganda’s first-ever Baseline Survey of Buildings
The MoU was signed at Statistics House on 7th August 2026 during a ceremony presided over by the Executive Director of UBOS, Dr. Chris Mukiza. The NBRB delegation was led by its Executive Secretary, Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire.
The partnership establishes a framework for collaboration between the two institutions to generate comprehensive, reliable, and up-to-date statistics on Uganda’s building stock. The survey will collect data on building characteristics, structural conditions, compliance with building regulations, ownership, occupancy, and the spatial distribution of buildings across the country.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Mukiza emphasized the importance of official statistics in supporting national development planning. He noted that the collaboration demonstrates the value of strategic partnerships in strengthening Uganda’s National Statistical System and ensuring that planning and policy decisions are informed by credible, evidence-based data.
The Baseline Survey of Buildings will establish a comprehensive inventory of buildings across Uganda and generate critical statistics on the country’s building sector. The findings will support infrastructure planning, regulation of the construction industry, disaster risk reduction, monitoring of building standards, and evidence-based policy formulation.
To ensure effective implementation, UBOS and NBRB agreed to establish a Joint Technical Committee to oversee the survey methodology, questionnaire development, pilot testing, field operations, data processing, validation, and dissemination of results.
Under the MoU, UBOS will provide technical leadership in survey design, statistical methodology, quality assurance, data processing, analysis, and dissemination of findings, while NBRB will coordinate survey implementation, mobilize resources, and provide technical expertise on building inspection, standards, and regulatory compliance.
The survey is expected to strengthen planning and decision-making within Uganda’s building sector by providing Government, investors, development partners, and other stakeholders with accurate and timely statistics on Uganda’s building stock. Ultimately, the findings will contribute to improved regulation of the construction sector, enhanced public safety, sustainable urban development, and the realization of Uganda’s national development agenda.
NBRB enforces physical planning and building standards in Uganda under the Building Control Act. It oversees local Building Committees, inspects construction sites, halts illegal or dangerous operations, and ensures compliance with land-use and structural safety regulations.
