Recent building collapses in Uganda have prompted sector leaders to demand stricter regulations and enforcement. On October 26, 2026, a four-storey church extension under construction in Bwerenga, Wakiso District, collapsed, killing one person and injuring over 25 others. This incident follows a similar collapse in Ntinda, Kampala, on October 12, 2026, which killed a 50-year-old maize seller and injured another. The surge in building collapses has raised concerns about the safety of construction projects in the country.
The Association of Real Estate Agents (AREA) Uganda, the Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC), and the National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC) have called for immediate action to address the issue. AREA Uganda President Lazarus Mugabi emphasized that unprofessionalism in the sector must end, and that the national Real Estate Bill, which introduces mandatory agent licensing, is expected to be enacted into law this financial year.
AREA Uganda President-elect Lillian Sentamu Kaddu stressed that curbing collapsing structures requires heightened legal liability for site inspectors. She argued that physical planners and construction engineers who fail to inspect and write in the inspection book should be held culpable. Kaddu added that this would encourage them to do their job correctly.
UNABSEC President Kiara Binta Nkuranga urged strict formalization across the entire construction value chain, supporting public "naming and shaming" of non-compliant contractors. She cautioned developers and clients against overriding expert guidance, emphasizing that the cost of life is too high for sector associations to remain silent.
David Etuket from NHCC noted that NHCC buildings have stood for over 60 years without a single collapse because they adhere strictly to qualified engineering, approved plans, and regulated curing timelines. He cautioned that professionals are not far from developers and clients, and that they should not rush structures or try to cut corners by becoming their own engineers.
The stakeholders will address these safety challenges during the AREA Real Estate Conference City Series 2026, which will feature a Policy and Innovation Summit on November 3-4, 2026, in Kampala. The conference aims to bring together developers, contractors, financiers, property managers, urban planners, and local leaders to discuss sustainable real estate investment and tourism urbanization.
The AREA Real Estate Conference City Series 2026 will also feature a virtual and in-person Strategic Investment Window from November 16 to 24, which will screen 100 projects down to 50 investable ventures. The conference will then transition to Jinja from December 2 to 4, 2026, for the Investment Deal Room and Excellence Awards Gala. Sector leaders are urging industry players to register and submit their projects for screening.
Key points
- Sector leaders demand stricter regulations and enforcement to prevent further building collapses in Uganda.
- The national Real Estate Bill, which introduces mandatory agent licensing, is expected to be enacted into law this financial year.
- The AREA Real Estate Conference City Series 2026 aims to address safety challenges and promote sustainable real estate investment in Uganda.
