The number of buildings being demolished in Kampala is raising every day.

However, according to the authorities, before demolishing a building, the owner must get permission from the town council, their municipality or the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

In Kampala, KCCA admits that there are many buildings which have been demolished in the recent times. As stipulated in the Building Control Act, 2013, the owners of these buildings are applying for demolition permits to change their functions.

According to Dr Richard Irumba. Manager, Land and Engineering Surveying at KCCA, before you carry out any demolition exercise, the owner of the building must apply for the permit. “The building committee grants the permit, but KCCA examines case by case.

Demolition permit fees are charged differently in cities, municipalities and town councils. KCCA charges sh2m, while Kira and Mukono municipalities charge 1.5m,” he says.

The town councils and districts charge sh500,000. All the fees are subjected to 18% VAT, meaning, one demolishing a building in Kampala city pays a total sum of sh2,370,000.

Failure to secure a demolition permit, Irumba says gives KCCA the mandate to suspend building activities at the site.

Demolition permit

After that, the culprits are prosecuted in courts of law. For change of user applications, for instance, from residential to commercial users, KCCA issues them free of charge.

“And if the property is situated on public land, the Kampala District Land Board approves the application. And therefore, to set up a new structure, you must have both the demolition and building permits,” Irumba adds.