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Zawya
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: Strict penalties for non adherence to building standards
Government has tabled the Building Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025 that will see enforcement of standards in the construction industry with strict penalties for offenders. The Bill tabled by the State Minister for Transport, Hon. Fred Byamukama on Wednesday, 09 April 2025 will address the gaps in the Building Control Act and streamline the procedure for approval of building and occupational permits. The presentation of the Bill comes at a time when the country has seen reports of poor workmanship at constructions sites leading to collapse of buildings which have led to deaths and injuries of mainly workers. The industry has also seen start of construction works and occupation of structures with permits. Clause 16 of the Bill prescribes liability for causing accidents in buildings or on building construction sites with those found culpable facing up to 12 years in jail or a fine of Shs10 million. 'Any person whose negligence, commission or omission leads to an accident on a building or a building construction site, which results into injury, death or destruction of property, commits an offence,' the Bill states in part. The Bill also criminalises a person who carries out a building operation without a valid building permit and faces two years' imprisonment or a fine of Shs20,000 for every square metre of the built-up area. The new law when passed by Parliament establishes a building committee in each district local government and urban council with powers to order for demolition or evacuation of premises constructed illegally. 'The Building Committee shall have the power to demolish or order the evacuation of buildings constructed in contravention of this Act and the conditions prescribed by the minister by regulations,' reads the Bill. The committee will also be in charge of approving applications for building permits under the stewardship of the district chief administrative officer. The new law streamlines functions and composition of the National Building Review Board (NBRB) which will enforce mechanisms of approval of plans, quality assurance and inspection of buildings. 'It provides for the powers of the Board to issue stop or evacuation orders in circumstances where a building committee has failed to comply with the recommendations of the Board and safety is compromised at a building,' the Bill adds. NBRB in the new law is charged with restructuring of procedures for approval of building permits and occupation permits while providing for use of unconventional methods, technologies and materials for building. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa referred the Bill to the Committee on Physical Infrastructure for consideration. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Uganda: Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Calls for More Funds for Child Disability Benefit
Uganda is set to introduce a National Child Disability Benefit to support families raising children with disabilities. This was the focus of the National Child Benefit High-Level Dialogue Meeting organized by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in partnership with UNICEF and held at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday, 26 March 2025. The event, themed 'Towards inclusive social protection: exploring a child disability benefit for Uganda,' brought together government officials, legislators, and development partners. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, emphasized that disability support is a right, not a privilege, and criticized the Shs3 billion initial allocation, calling it inadequate and urging the government to commit at least Shs10 billion to the initiative. 'If we are to start this as a fund, let's be serious. It would be a betrayal to the disability movement to allocate such a small amount,' Tayebwa stated. He praised the Ministry of Gender for its efforts in supporting vulnerable groups but raised concerns about the potential misuse of funds by irresponsible parents. 'This money should improve the welfare of children, not serve as compensation for parents,' he cautioned. Gender Minister Betty Amongi explained that families caring for disabled children face extra financial burdens, with 50 percent of such households living in extreme poverty. 'This benefit will help cover costs like transport, medicine, and rehabilitation support. A child with disabilities requires more financial support than their siblings,' she said. She also highlighted the gendered impact of caregiving, noting that many fathers abandon mothers of disabled children, leaving them to shoulder the burden alone. State Minister for Disability Affairs, Hellen Asamo, urged a shift in societal attitudes, recalling her own struggles growing up with a disability. 'I didn't go to school like my siblings—I was given a shortcut. We must stop thinking for people with disabilities and instead ask them what they need,' she said. She warned against overprotection and exclusion, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies. Aggrey Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Gender Ministry, reaffirmed the government's commitment to disability inclusion, outlining plans for regular cash transfers to families as part of the benefit. UNICEF Country Representative, Robin Nandy, praised Uganda's social protection efforts, highlighting the economic benefits of investing in disability support. 'Every shilling invested in a child disability benefit can generate up to Shs2.5 in the economy,' he noted. Uganda aims to learn from countries like Kenya and South Africa, which have successfully implemented similar programmes. Parliament, through the Deputy Speaker and attending MPs, pledged full support to ensure children with disabilities receive the care and assistance they need. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
