Government audits 5,000 buildings in Kampala, uncovers low compliance rates
The Ugandan government has completed a seismic vulnerability audit of 5,000 buildings in Kampala to assess earthquake risks. The initiative, led by the National Building Review Board, aims to enforce safety standards and identify structures in need of retrofitting.
Why it matters
Proactive building safety audits are essential for urban disaster mitigation, especially in regions prone to seismic activity.
An excavator combs through the debris of a multi-storey building that collapsed in Kisota Zone, Kikaya Parish, Kisasi on June 6, 2026.
The government through the National Building Review Board (NBRB) has completed the seismic vulnerability screening of approximately 5,000 buildings in Kampala, launching the first phase of a broader nationwide safety audit aimed at mitigating earthquake risks.
The assessment, conducted under the Rapid Visual Screening (RVS) Programme, forms part of state interventions to assess the country's built environment, enforce compliance with building regulations, and identify structures requiring technical retrofitting or detailed investigation.
According to a statement issued by the board, the exercise will now move beyond the capital into the wider Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, covering Kira, Wakiso, Entebbe, Makindye Ssaabagabo, Mukono, and Mpigi before expanding to other parts of the country.
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