Kampala lord mayor to probe Kisaasi building collapse that killed three, injured 10

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Kampala Lord Mayor Eng. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga has announced plans to establish a formal committee of inquiry to investigate the catastrophic building collapse in Kisaasi that claimed three lives and left more than 10 people injured.

The building, located in Kasota village in Kawempe division, collapsed on June 5, 2026, triggering an extensive search-and-rescue operation by the Uganda Police Force’s Directorate of Fire Prevention and Rescue Services.

Police confirmed that the bodies of three male victims, believed to be construction workers, were recovered from the rubble.

Speaking at the scene on June 6, 2026, Balimwezo warned that both the building owner and the contractor would face legal action for allegedly failing to comply with structural and safety requirements.

Kampala Lord Mayor Eng. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga inspecting the catastrophic building collapse in Kisaasi that claimed three lives and left more than 10 people injured. (Credit: Ronald Balimwezo/X)

He also called on the National Building Review Board (NBRB), the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Physical Planning Authority, and other relevant agencies to explain how construction was allowed to proceed without the necessary approvals.

KCCA executive director Hajjati Sharifah Buzeki revealed that authorities at KCCA had previously issued a stop order against the development. However, she said the developers ignored the directive and continued construction clandestinely.

"Compliance with KCCA guidelines is critical to preventing accidents and safeguarding lives," Buzeki said, condemning the widespread practice of constructing buildings without approved permits.

The Lord Mayor was accompanied by several city leaders, including KCCA Speaker Johnmary Ssebuwufu and Kawempe Division Mayor Emmanuel Sserunjogi. They condemned the developer’s alleged negligence and urged the public to remain calm as investigations continue.

The latest tragedy comes barely two months after President Yoweri Museveni assented to the Building Control (Amendment) Act, 2026, legislation intended to strengthen the enforcement of construction standards and prevent similar disasters.

The amended law grants regulators wider powers, including the authority to order the demolition of unsafe structures.

Under the Act, negligence during or after construction can attract fines of up to sh10 million, prison sentences of up to 12 years, or both imprisonment and a fine. It also provides for penalties for constructing without a permit, calculated per square metre, significantly increasing the financial cost of non-compliance.

The NBRB has since announced on its official X (formerly Twitter) account that a forensic engineering team has been deployed to investigate the structural failure.

Pattern of structural failures

The Kisaasi collapse is the latest in a series of fatal building failures across the Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Previous forensic investigations by the NBRB have repeatedly cited similar causes, including unapproved structural designs, poor concrete mixes, substandard reinforcement materials, and the use of unqualified personnel.

Some of the major incidents include:

Lukuli-Makindye collapse (May 2020)

A five-storey building in Kiwempe zone collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring several others. Investigations found that the developer had ignored a KCCA stop-work order and continued construction during the COVID-19 lockdown. The NBRB later established that the individual presented as the project engineer was, in fact, a certified bricklayer, while the concrete had not been given sufficient time to cure.

Kisenyi Downtown collapse (September 2021)

A commercial building in the congested Kisenyi area collapsed, killing six people and trapping dozens. Authorities found that the developer had proceeded without KCCA approval, while laboratory tests showed the structural steel and concrete failed to meet minimum national safety standards.

Fido Dido ceiling collapse (March 2021)

Although not a complete structural failure, a heavy concrete and plaster ceiling collapsed during a lunchtime church service on Kampala Road, killing two people and injuring 18 others. The incident highlighted the risks posed by aging buildings and inadequate structural maintenance within the Central Business District.

Kyaseka Towers collapse (April 2016)

A multi-storey building on Makerere Hill Road in Wandegeya collapsed during the day, killing four people and injuring many others, including pedestrians. The tragedy sparked public outrage after it emerged that the structure had previously been earmarked for demolition by KCCA because it had been illegally constructed within a road reserve.