Make Kampala City Council pay
Mar 18, 2009
The Uganda Society of Architects has warned that Kampala is set for more building collapses because most structures in the city are sub-standard. The society said builders were employing unqualified architects and engineers to oversee their sight, buildin
The Uganda Society of Architects has warned that Kampala is set for more building collapses because most structures in the city are sub-standard. The society said builders were employing unqualified architects and engineers to oversee their sight, building too quickly and occupying their premises too soon after construction.
The architects also said Kampala City Council, with only one architect, was unable to oversee the current construction boom.
In the last five or so years, parts of Kampala have got a total facelift with old pre-independence buildings giving way to flashy, multi-storeyed buildings.
It is gratifying to note that most of these buildings are being erected by indigenous businessmen.
But one has got to wonder. The time it takes between ground breaking and eventual occupancy is so short as to take your breath away. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of construction would have known that something was just not right.
That these buildings are a disaster waiting to happen is now beyond doubt.
To begin with KCC or the responsible authorities need to check all these new developments, go over them with a toothpick and make sure their design and construction are beyond reproach.
In the event that there are major structural issues, the buildings should be evacuated and remedial work done or be razed to the ground altogether.
Secondly, a probe into KCC construction licensing processes over the last 10 years should be constituted with a view of finding liability for the current mess and rectifying it. KCC officials should not get away scot-free for the lives that have been lost in these building mishaps.
The public servant as epitomised by the KCC official has come to stand for blinding incompetence, callous irresponsibility and irredeemable corruption, and if we are to salvage the situation, we need to set an example, send a signal that this kind of public official is not the ideal.
Let us start with KCC.
The architects also said Kampala City Council, with only one architect, was unable to oversee the current construction boom.
In the last five or so years, parts of Kampala have got a total facelift with old pre-independence buildings giving way to flashy, multi-storeyed buildings.
It is gratifying to note that most of these buildings are being erected by indigenous businessmen.
But one has got to wonder. The time it takes between ground breaking and eventual occupancy is so short as to take your breath away. Anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of construction would have known that something was just not right.
That these buildings are a disaster waiting to happen is now beyond doubt.
To begin with KCC or the responsible authorities need to check all these new developments, go over them with a toothpick and make sure their design and construction are beyond reproach.
In the event that there are major structural issues, the buildings should be evacuated and remedial work done or be razed to the ground altogether.
Secondly, a probe into KCC construction licensing processes over the last 10 years should be constituted with a view of finding liability for the current mess and rectifying it. KCC officials should not get away scot-free for the lives that have been lost in these building mishaps.
The public servant as epitomised by the KCC official has come to stand for blinding incompetence, callous irresponsibility and irredeemable corruption, and if we are to salvage the situation, we need to set an example, send a signal that this kind of public official is not the ideal.
Let us start with KCC.