New surveyors, architects boards members urged on professionalism

KAMPALA - The newly sworn-in members of the 20th Surveyors Registration Board (SRB) and the 14th Architects Registration Board (ARB) have been urged to serve with integrity, professionalism and a deep commitment to national development.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the USMID Boardroom, Crested Towers on September 12, 2025, lands ministry permanent secretary Dorcas Okalanyi congratulated the new board members on their appointments and reminded them of the critical responsibilities they carry in regulating two of the country’s most vital professions, surveying and architecture.

“Your appointment is not just an achievement; it is a calling to serve the people of Uganda,” Okalanyi said. 

“You are now stewards of professions that directly influence land governance, infrastructure development and public trust in our systems.”

She noted that the surveying profession covers various disciplines, including land surveying, valuation, quantity surveying and hydrological surveying, and called on the new SRB to ensure that all professionals in these areas are regulated effectively.

The ARB, she added, plays an equally vital role in guiding Uganda’s architectural sector in line with national and international standards.

“Please endeavour to serve these professionals diligently and ethically for the betterment of our country. We at the Ministry are ready to work with you,” she stated.

Reforms to restore trust

Okalanyi emphasised the ministry’s ongoing reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the land and construction sectors, noting that the Boards’ technical oversight is essential for successful implementation.

“The ministry is undertaking reforms to enhance professionalism and improve service delivery. These reforms require your full support. We are confident that this new cohort of board members will offer the technical leadership needed to move these professions forward,” she said.

She commended the appointing authority for selecting members based on merit, professionalism, and experience, describing them as individuals whose expertise sets them apart.

The permanent secretary further urged the boards to remain accountable, uphold the integrity of their offices and maintain close collaboration with the ministry to ensure that regulatory standards are upheld and the built environment in Uganda reflects the highest standards of safety, design, and functionality.

Profiles Architects Registration Board (ARB) members

The 14th Architects Registration Board comprises highly qualified professionals with diverse academic and practical experience, appointed to guide and regulate Uganda’s architectural profession.

Jacqueline Namayanja holds a bachelor's in architecture from Makerere University. She is the president of the Uganda Society of Architects (USA) and is registered under ARB No. 268. 

Mark Bwambale, a graduate of Makerere University, is a registered architect (ARB Reg. 116) and co-founder of Regenesys, a sustainable architecture firm. He is a Catholic from the Western region and a corporate member of the USA.

Verna Mbabazi Mwinganisa has a master's degree in architecture in human settlements from KU Leuven (Belgium), an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, and a bachelor's degree in architecture from Makerere University. She is registered under ARB Reg. 126.

Shem Sebbowa earned his qualifications from the Oslo School of Architecture in Norway and Makerere University. He is a registered architect (ARB Reg. 24186), currently working with dARC Group Limited.