Uganda screens over 30,000 buildings for earthquake safety
The National Building Review Board is updating seismic risk maps and construction standards to protect communities.
Uganda is assessing over 30,000 buildings nationwide to improve earthquake preparedness and construction safety. The National Building Review Board (NBRB) is conducting these assessments to identify structural weaknesses and guide necessary strengthening interventions. This work is part of the Serene initiative to update seismic risk mapping and improve building regulations.
Eng. Dr Maurice Oleng, head of research at the NBRB, stated that the building screenings provide evidence for revising construction standards and disaster preparedness plans. The NBRB is collaborating with the Global Earthquake Model Foundation on this project, which examines earthquake hazards, population exposure, and building vulnerability. Updated seismic hazard assessments now identify areas more susceptible to ground shaking, particularly around the East African Rift System.
Research also includes assessing 100 school buildings in Fort Portal, Hoima, and Mbarara for earthquake vulnerability, with findings expected to inform targeted improvements. The NBRB aims to update Uganda's seismic design code to ensure engineers have a foundational baseline for constructing resilient structures. These efforts follow a recent church collapse in Bwerenga that killed one person and injured 25, where preliminary assessments cited design weaknesses and poor workmanship.
Why it mattersUgandan communities are at risk from earthquakes due to the country's location in the East African Rift System, and the NBRB's work aims to make buildings safer.