The tragic collapse of a building under construction in Buziga parish that killed one worker and injured several others has once again highlighted the deadly consequences of unauthorized construction and alleged corruption within Kampala’s building inspection system. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening around 7pm as construction workers were completing their daily tasks, has prompted serious questions about regulatory oversight and enforcement of building standards in the capital. Herbert Zziwa, spokesperson for the National Building Review Board, revealed that investigations show the owner was attempting to convert a single-story building into a multi-story structure without following proper procedures. “Our investigations tell us the owner of the building was trying to change the building from a bungalow to a storied building, avoiding the necessary standards. The owner was also using people who aren’t professionals to advise him on how to set up the structure. The building materials also used aren’t the required ones for setting up the storyed house,” Zziwa explained. Engineers from the National Building Board have collected material samples from the collapse site for further investigation to determine the exact cause of the structural failure. 

The incident has also brought to light serious allegations of corruption within KCCA’s building inspection department. Gadaffi Jafali Kamya, chairperson of Kampala’s building committee, made damning accusations against the city authority’s technical wing.

“The collapsed building doesn’t have a plan, but the collapse comes from the technical wing of building inspectors of Makindye. They take bribes from people that set up structures like this and ignore the standards. This carelessness comes from the KCCA technical wing that takes bribes and lets people set up structures without the required documents,” Kamya stated.

Responding to the allegations, KCCA’s Acting Deputy Director for Public and Corporate Affairs, Muhumuza Daniel, emphasized that the authority has clear procedures for building approvals that, if followed, prevent such tragedies. “Setting up structures like this without following the rules is what causes buildings to collapse.” You are supposed to get permission from KCCA, and it’s as easy as coming with your plan, and we put it in the system, and the experts come and visit the site, and for every stage of construction, we visit the site. If you don’t come to KCCA, then incidents like this are bound to happen, and people will lose lives, and you will lose your investment,” Daniel explained.

Local resident Mary Nakato, who witnessed the collapse, described, “I was in my compound when I heard a loud rumbling sound, like thunder but different. When I looked up, I saw dust everywhere and people screaming. We all ran to help because we could hear voices calling for help from under the concrete blocks,” Nakato recounted.

“The whole community came together—men, women, and even children were helping to move the smaller pieces of rubble with their bare hands. We knew every minute counted for those trapped underneath. It was heartbreaking to see grown men crying as we pulled out the injured workers.”

Rescue operations continued throughout the day, with KCCA deploying heavy excavation equipment to remove debris and search for any remaining trapped victims.

“In the rescue that’s going on, we have recovered 2 people so far.” We also have the excavation tractor that will help us remove all the heavy rubble and see if there are people still trapped,” Daniel confirmed.

The building owner, identified as a lawyer currently residing in America, had reportedly left the construction under the supervision of one Isaac. Authorities are working to establish contact with the owner for questioning.

This latest incident adds to growing concerns about building safety in Kampala, where rapid urban development often outpaces regulatory enforcement, sometimes with deadly consequences.

By ChimpReports