Minister Azuba faults engineers on collapse of buildings

The Minister for Works and Transport, Monica Ntege Azuba, has faulted engineers for failing to advise building owners on structural designs in construction, an issue that led to collapse of some buildings.

"When you have proper engineering designs and materials, then everything can be put up in the right way. Engineers must be proactive so that if someone engages them at the beginning, they advise the person on materials, and building plans," said Ntege.

She was speaking during the inauguration of the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) at the ministry offices in Kampala on Wednesday evening.  

The inaugurated board is headed by Dr. Michael Odong, the Uganda Road Fund executive director, who is deputised by Eng. Henry Francis Okinyal.

Others on the board include Andrew Kitaka, Elias Bahanda, Michael Pande, Florence Lubwama Kiyimba, Peter Balimunsi and Ronald Namugera.

According to the Engineers Registration Act 1969, the board is responsible for regulating engineering practice through registering firms offering engineering services; regulate training for fresh graduates among other things.

There have been incidents of collapse of buildings. For instance, the Kyaseka Towers (next to Ham Towers near Makerere University in 2016), Bwebajja Hotel in 2004, a building on Nasser Road in 2015 and commercial building in Kansanga in 2011, all which claimed lives.

"The engineer should be taken to task by ERB if the building he worked on collapses," said Ntege.

Odong, in his acceptance speech, said the board intends to take Ugandan engineers to Egypt for more training. "The minister has cleared us to enter into memorandum of understanding with engineering board of Egypt so that we have our engineers go for short term training. We shall start with electrical engineers," he stated.

He said the board has registered 1,000 engineers, although there are many more engineers who have not registered.

Bageya Waiswa, the Ministry of Works and Transport Permanent Secretary called for strict disciplinary measures for engineers.