Building review board's Bwire roots for strengthening safety, streamlining approvals in Uganda

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Uganda’s building sector is undergoing a shift, driven by tighter regulations, stronger safety standards and the adoption of digital approval systems. In a recent interview with Robert Kabushenga on X, formerly Twitter Spaces, National Building Review Board (NBRB) executive secretary Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire, broke down how these reforms are reshaping construction oversight. She unpacked the NBRB’s mandate, explaining its push to ensure safety, accessibility, and innovation across the country’s rapidly evolving built environment.

Q: What is the National Building Review Board (NBRB) all about?

A: The National Building Review Board is an agency of the Government under the Ministry of Works and Transport. Our major role is to regulate the building sector. This breaks down into several key functions: monitoring building development, ensuring that buildings accessible to the public have provisions for persons with disabilities (PWD), hearing and determining appeals from people dissatisfied with decisions of building committees, and setting fees for services provided by those committees.

Q: Can you elaborate on why accessibility for persons with disabilities is such a priority for the NBRB?

A: Accessibility isn't just for those with visible disabilities like missing a limb. One day, you might be unwell and need to be wheeled into a hospital, but if there's no access, you could face serious risks—even dying on a staircase. As we age, simple tasks like navigating stairs become challenging. We ensure buildings account for these scenarios so everyone can access public spaces safely.

Q: What are building committees, and how do they fit into the local government structure?

A: Building committees are entities within the local government structure. For example, in Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), there's a building committee responsible for ensuring compliance with building laws. Whenever you seek approvals from a local authority, you're dealing with these committees.

Q: Before the NBRB existed, how was building regulation handled in Uganda?

A: There was no statutory organ performing this role before us. We are the pioneers in establishing a structured regulatory framework for the building sector.

Q: You mentioned monitoring building developments—what exactly does that involve, and when should the public reach out to the NBRB?

A: Monitoring is intertwined with our appellate role. It's an oversight function where we set processes and procedures for local governments to follow. We receive complaints from the public about issues in their neighborhoods and direct them to the appropriate building committee. Sometimes, building committees contact us for matters they can't resolve themselves. If you're dissatisfied with a local decision, that's when you come to us.

Q: As a complete layperson who owns land and wants to build a house, what does the building committee do for me? Walk me through the process step by step.

A: The process is divided into two stages. First, you apply for development permission under the Physical Planning Act of 2010 (as amended in 2020), which declares the whole country a planning area—you can't just build anything anywhere. This is handled by a Physical Planning Committee. You submit a concept of what you want to do, like a school or petrol station, including details on parking and restoration. If approved, you then proceed to detailed planning: architectural drawings, electrical, mechanical, and ground studies. Once designs are ready, you submit them to the building committee. They review the drawings, inspect the site, and the technical office (led by the building control officer and engineers) prepares a report. The committee decides: yes, no, or approve with improvements.

Q: After approval, do I need to do anything else before starting construction?

A: You simply notify the committee that you're starting in seven days. It's their responsibility to decide when to inspect—no need to invite them or apply for inspections anymore. They can come at their liberty.

Q: What if the building committee rejects my application?

A: They'll provide a reason, as required by law. If you agree, address their comments and resubmit. If not, appeal to the NBRB, explaining your disagreement. We'll form a tribunal, hear from both you and the committee, and decide the way forward.

Q: How are buildings classified in Uganda, and why does this matter for approvals

A: Buildings are classified into three classes to tailor approval requirements based on size, environmental impact, and social impact—not everyone faces the same hurdles.

Class C: Small buildings like typical rentals (about 30 square meters, e.g., 5x6 meters), with low or no environmental/social impact. You don't need engineers or architects; just a simple sheet describing what you want (e.g., a two- or four-bedroom). Submit via the Building Industry Management System (BIMS) or directly—the building control officer handles and approves it, reporting to the committee within 21 days. Even illiterate individuals can submit a basic box sketch.

Q: What about larger residential buildings—how are they classified?

A: Class B covers most residential buildings: over 30 square meters but not higher than 12 meters (about four floors, assuming 3 meters per floor), with low or no environmental/social impact. Mandatory drawings depend on location: architectural is usually required; electrical if you plan for power; mechanical if using waterborne toilets. These weren't always approved before, but now they're part of the process.

Q: And for the biggest or most impactful buildings?

A: Class A is the most stringent: high social/environmental impact, public buildings, or over 12 meters tall. Requires all drawings, plus impact assessments, geotechnical investigations (ground studies to ensure the soil can support the structure, e.g., reinforcing foundations if weak), NEMA certification, and more. Submit via BIMS and wait for review.

Q: You've mentioned the Building Industry Management System (BIMS) several times—what is it, and how does it work?

A: BIMS is the Building Industry Management System, an online platform accessible worldwide at www.bims.go.ug

Building Industry Management System (BIMS) - Quick Start

Building Industry Management SystemThis tool is intended to provide one with a simple, fast and effective way calculate any building control related fees across uganda, in real time. www.bims.go.ug

Building Industry Management System: This tool is intended to provide one with a simple, fast and effective way to calculate any building control-related fees across Uganda, in real time.

It brings all players—architects, engineers, surveyors, etc.—onto one platform. You can verify if a professional is qualified by checking their details, integrated with regulators' databases (e.g., Architects Registration Board). Only registered, practicing professionals appear. If hiring someone not listed, you can't proceed with submissions.

Q: How does BIMS ensure only legitimate professionals are involved in projects?

A: When uploading documents, you select consultants from the list. They receive an email to confirm involvement (e.g., "Robert has applied for a Class A building; confirm as engineer"). No confirmation, no progress. This eliminates fakes and ensures accountability—previously, names appeared without verification.

Q: Has BIMS helped eliminate quacks in the building industry?

A: In places like Kampala, yes—approvals won't proceed without verification. We're not fully digital everywhere, but it's reducing unqualified practitioners.

Q: Could BIMS expand to include reliable suppliers of building materials or approved contractors? For example, linking to UNBS for quality marks on cement or associations like Uganda National Association Of Builders, Suppliers And Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC)?

A: Our current mandate doesn't extend to suppliers (that's UNBS for quality marks) or contractors (they're unregulated but have voluntary associations like UNABSEC). However, integrating such features makes sense for public assurance—e.g., checking if cement like Kampala, Tororo, or Hima has a UNBS mark, or verifying contractors via The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA).

Q: Will the public be able to verify these certificates online?

A: Yes. We’re testing a system where permits have barcodes you can scan to confirm validity.

Q: Any final message for the public?

A: Building health affects us all — whether we’re owners, tenants, or visitors. Use registered professionals, follow proper approval processes, and verify both the people and the paperwork through BIMS. Safe buildings start with compliance.