Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has urged homeowners, landlords and developers to prioritise safety when constructing buildings, warning that structures built without approved plans, quality materials and qualified professionals can put lives at risk.The warning was delivered by KCCA Deputy Executive Director Benon Kigenyi during the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2026 at the KCCA grounds on Tuesday, October 13.The event was held under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home: Call for Good Practices,” highlighting the importance of safe housing and household preparedness in preventing disasters.
Kigenyi cautioned that buildings constructed without proper approval, strong materials and professional supervision can become dangerous for the people living in them.“A building constructed without quality materials, a building permit and a qualified engineer is not a home but a grave,” he said, adding that houses built in wetlands could expose families to serious risks.He urged developers to obtain the necessary building permits from KCCA and engage qualified engineers to ensure that their structures meet the required safety standards.
According to Kigenyi, disaster prevention begins during the planning and construction stages, long before emergencies occur. He noted that investing in safe buildings is less costly than dealing with deaths, injuries and property losses caused by building collapses, fires and other disasters.“Disasters break families and destroy homes. We must recognise that resilience starts with the places where we live and the choices we make every day,” Kigenyi said.The Deputy Executive Director also cautioned landlords against operating residential buildings without essential facilities such as toilets, adequate ventilation and access routes for emergency responders.He encouraged residents to check their homes for possible hazards, including faulty electrical connections and unattended charcoal stoves, which can cause fires and endanger families.KCCA Calls for Safer Buildings and Better Drainage ManagementKCCA Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Eng. Justus Akankwasa, said disaster risk management must be incorporated into the planning, construction and maintenance of Kampala’s infrastructure.
He identified flooding, fires and unsafe buildings as some of the major risks requiring continued attention, stressing that compliance with approved building standards is essential to protecting lives and property.Akankwasa said KCCA had not recorded a building collapse involving a structure constructed with an approved building permit, using the observation to emphasise the importance of following established construction procedures.He also highlighted Kampala’s vulnerability to flooding, explaining that the city’s hilly landscape, valleys, patterns of development and pressure on drainage systems require coordinated efforts to manage stormwater.The engineering director urged residents and developers to stop encroaching on wetlands and drainage channels, warning that such practices can interfere with the natural flow of water and increase flooding risks.He further called on the public to dispose of solid waste responsibly, noting that rubbish frequently finds its way back into drainage channels even after KCCA has cleared them.
According to Akankwasa, waste accumulation blocks the movement of stormwater, particularly during rainfall, increasing the possibility of flooding in surrounding communities.He warned that structures built inside drainage channels or obstructing the flow of water would be removed, urging developers to comply with planning regulations and avoid construction that endangers other residents.Davis Caxton Mandu Mwenyi, the Commissioner for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management at the Office of the Prime Minister, said disaster risk reduction requires cooperation between government institutions, local authorities, construction professionals and households.Mwenyi emphasised that investing in prevention and preparedness is less costly than responding to disasters and rebuilding damaged homes and infrastructure after emergencies.Agnes Bugaba, Manager of KCCA’s Risk Management Unit, said the 2026 theme highlights the need for safe housing, household preparedness and shared responsibility in reducing disaster risks.She noted that homes should provide protection and security, supported by proper construction practices and awareness of hazards that could threaten occupants.
The commemoration also featured practical demonstrations by the Uganda Red Cross Society on rescue techniques and emergency response, giving participants an opportunity to learn how to respond when disasters occur.The event called on government agencies, landlords, developers, construction professionals and residents to make safety a priority in their daily decisions.As Kampala continues to grow, KCCA says safer homes, proper building approvals, wetland protection and clear drainage channels are important in reducing preventable disasters and protecting lives.The authority’s message was that disaster preparedness begins at home, with individuals and communities playing an important role in creating a safer city.
