The recent collapse of a building under construction in Kisaasi, which claimed three lives, has once again placed Uganda’s construction industry under the spotlight. The tragedy has sparked debate among experts, with some questioning the quality of building materials used on construction sites, while others attribute the disaster to poor workmanship and failure to comply with approved building standards.
Shortly after the Kisaasi building collapse, another incident was reportedly recorded in Kira, where a building staircase also collapsed. However, the owners are said to have moved quickly to rectify the situation, allegedly to avoid intervention by authorities. Unlike the Kisaasi tragedy, the Kira incident did not result in any loss of life.
Experts warn that the rapid growth of the sector could create opportunities for the proliferation of substandard construction materials if regulatory oversight is not strengthened.
Against this backdrop, the government has tightened regulation of the construction sector through the implementation of building laws and the operationalisation of the National Building Review Board (NBRB). Gob Blick Obita, a council member of the Uganda National Association of Builders, Suppliers and Engineering Contractors (UNABSEC), emphasises the need for strict adherence to established standards and best practices. Beyond the debate over workmanship and engineering supervision lies another critical question: Do the building materials sold in Uganda’s hardware markets actually conform to the required standards?
From steel bars and cement to roofing sheets, electrical cables, paints and plumbing fittings, Uganda’s hardware stores are stocked with a wide range of locally manufactured and imported products. For many builders, contractors and individual homeowners, these outlets are the first stop in turning construction dreams into reality.
However, the abundance of products on the market has also raised concerns about quality assurance. While some materials bear certification marks from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), experts warn that counterfeit and substandard products continue to find their way onto the market, posing serious risks to public safety.
The consequences of using substandard materials can be devastating. Structural weaknesses resulting from poor-quality steel, cement, aggregates or electrical installations may not be immediately visible, but they can significantly reduce a building’s lifespan and increase the likelihood of accidents, collapses, fires and costly repairs.
The dilemma
A walk through some of Kampala’s major hardware hubs reveals a highly competitive market where price often influences purchasing decisions. While genuine materials may cost slightly more, some consumers and contractors are tempted by cheaper alternatives, sometimes without verifying whether the products meet the required standards.
This raises a fundamental concern for regulators, manufacturers, suppliers and consumers alike: Is the current system robust enough to guarantee that every construction material reaching the market is safe and compliant with national standards?
Daniel Arorwa, the manager of Market Surveillance at UNBS, says some suppliers are taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers by flooding the market with counterfeit building materials. Arorwa notes that these substandard products lack the strength and durability of genuine materials, making them a major contributor to structural failures and building collapses. He explains that UNBS has established standards for a wide range of construction materials, including steel bars, cement, iron sheets and other essential building products, to ensure safety and quality in the construction sector.
“Consumers should only purchase building materials bearing the authentic Q-Mark. Any product without this mark may not have undergone the required quality assessment and could pose a serious risk to lives and property,” Arorwa warns.
Arorwa further advises Ugandans planning to construct houses to engage qualified civil engineers, noting that their expertise is vital in ensuring that genuine and standards-compliant building materials are procured and properly used during construction. He explains that professional engineers are better equipped to assess the quality of building products, supervise construction works and enforce compliance with approved building standards, thereby minimizing the risk of structural failures and building collapses.
Complacency
According to the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), approximately 58 percent of all goods on the local market are counterfeit, with structural failures being a primary cause of dangerous building collapses. Experts warn that unless all stakeholders act, counterfeits could erode construction standards and trigger structural failures.
However, Sylvia Kirabo, the Principal Public Relations Officer at UNBS, says consumer complacency is partly to blame for the continued presence of counterfeit building materials on the market.
“There are Ugandans who would rather buy products at cheaper prices and do not take the initiative to report suspicious products or traders to the relevant authorities,” Kirabo says.
She urges members of the public to play a more active role in the fight against counterfeit goods by providing information that could help authorities identify and apprehend individuals involved in the manufacture, importation and distribution of substandard building materials. Counterfeit and substandard building materials are a severe crisis in Uganda’s construction industry.
Ignorance about standards
Richard Laguna, a prospective homeowner in Natete, says he was unaware that every building material on the market is required to meet specific standards set by UNBS. Laguna says the information has opened his eyes to the importance of verifying the quality and certification of building products before making a purchase.
“I did not know that each building material has standards it is supposed to meet. This information is very important because many people like me often focus on price without considering whether the products comply with the required standards,” he says.
However, Steve Mukwaya, a private construction consultant, observes that some clients request Bills of Quantities (BOQs) detailing the projected cost of a building project and then opt to procure construction materials on their own. According to Mukwaya, this practice is contributing to the use of substandard building materials, as some clients prioritise cheaper products over quality. In a bid to cut costs, they often purchase materials that may not meet the required standards or possess the strength and durability necessary to support the intended structure.
“When clients take over procurement without adequate technical knowledge, they may end up buying cheaper materials that compromise the quality and safety of the building,” Mukwaya says.