Preliminary findings by Uganda's National Building Review Board (NBRB) indicate that only about 9 to 10 per cent of more than 30,000 buildings screened so far have been classified as safe. The findings highlight concerns about the structural integrity of buildings across the country and have prompted calls for stronger construction standards, improved enforcement, and urgent rehabilitation of vulnerable structures.
The assessment, presented during the fifth edition of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE) Voice engagement, emphasised the importance of integrating earthquake-resistant designs into construction. Dr Morris Oleng, head of research at the NBRB, cautioned that the assessment was still ongoing and that further investigations would provide a clearer picture of the country's building safety.
More than half of the buildings assessed required some form of strengthening, raising concerns about public safety as Uganda's population grows and urbanisation accelerates. The assessment also highlighted the potential economic and human consequences of a major earthquake. According to preliminary modelling, earthquake damage to buildings could cause annual economic losses exceeding $74 million, while more than 70 people could die under the scenarios examined.
Uganda's exposure to earthquakes is partly linked to its location within the East African Rift system, a geological region associated with tectonic activity. Historical earthquakes, including the 1966 Toro earthquake, which reportedly killed about 160 people, and a 1994 earthquake identified as the Kisomoro earthquake, which reportedly caused eight deaths, are cited as examples.
Dr Oleng stressed that the danger posed by an earthquake depends not only on ground movement but also on the ability of buildings to withstand the resulting forces. He said, "Earthquakes do not kill. It is the buildings we live in that will kill us, not the earthquake." His remarks underline the importance of structural integrity in reducing deaths and injuries during earthquakes.
Schools were identified as a priority because structural failure during learning hours could expose large numbers of pupils, students, and teachers to danger. A separate assessment of 100 school buildings reportedly found that about five per cent required urgent corrective measures, while approximately 20 per cent were described as safe.
The NBRB is working to improve earthquake risk assessment and strengthen the evidence informing building regulation. Dr Oleng called for increased attention to building inspections, enforcement of construction regulations, and rehabilitation of structures that may not withstand seismic forces. He also proposed structural strengthening for buildings where rehabilitation is technically and economically justified.
Key points
- Only 9-10% of 30,000 buildings screened in Uganda are classified as safe.
- Earthquake damage could cause annual economic losses exceeding $74 million.
- The NBRB calls for stronger construction standards and enforcement to improve building safety.
