Kampala Capital City Authority marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has urged homeowners, landlords and developers to prioritise safety in construction, warning that buildings erected without approved plans, quality materials and qualified professionals can turn homes into death traps.

“A building constructed without quality materials, a building permit and a qualified engineer is not a home but a grave. Resilience starts at home. A home built on a wetland is not affordable housing; it is a future funeral.”

The warning was delivered by the Deputy Executive Director of KCCA Benon Kigenyi during the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2026 at the KCCA grounds on Tuesday, October 13, under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home: Call for Good Practices.”

The message placed household safety at the centre of Kampala’s efforts to reduce disaster risks, reminding residents that the decisions made when building, maintaining and managing homes can determine whether families remain safe when disaster strikes.

Kigenyi urged developers to comply with building regulations, obtain the necessary approvals from KCCA and engage qualified engineers to ensure structures meet the required standards.

The official emphasised that preventing disasters begins long before an emergency occurs, noting that the cost of investing in safer buildings is far lower than the financial and human losses associated with 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.

Landlords were also cautioned against constructing or operating residential facilities without basic safety provisions, including toilets, adequate ventilation and access routes for emergency services. Such shortcomings can expose occupants to health and safety risks and complicate emergency response.

Residents were encouraged to identify potential hazards within their homes, including faulty electrical connections and unattended charcoal stoves, and take preventive measures to protect their families.

Safe homes, safer Kampala

KCCA Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Eng. Justus Akankwasa, said disaster risk management must be integrated into the way Kampala plans, builds and maintains its infrastructure.

He identified flooding, fires and unsafe buildings among the risks requiring continued attention, stressing that professional construction and compliance with approved building standards are essential to protecting lives.

Akankwasa said KCCA had not recorded a building collapse involving a structure constructed with an approved building permit, underscoring the importance of following established construction procedures.

He also highlighted the threat posed by flooding, noting that Kampala’s hilly terrain, valleys, development patterns and pressure on drainage systems require coordinated action to reduce risks.

He called on residents and developers to stop encroaching on wetlands and drainage channels and to dispose of solid waste responsibly.

Although KCCA routinely clears drainage channels, he observed that rubbish often finds its way back into them, particularly during rainfall, affecting the flow of stormwater.

Akankwasa warned that structures erected in drainage channels or obstructing water flow would be removed, urging developers to comply with planning requirements and avoid construction that puts surrounding communities at risk.

Davis Caxton Mandu Mwenyi, the Commissioner for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management at the Office of the Prime Minister, said reducing disaster risk is a shared responsibility of government, local authorities, builders and households, and that investing in prevention and preparedness costs far less than responding to disasters and rebuilding afterwards.

Agnes Bugaba, Manager of KCCA’s Risk Management Unit, said the 2026 theme highlights the importance of safe housing, household preparedness and shared responsibility in disaster risk reduction.

She emphasised that homes should be places of protection and security, supported by sound construction practices and household awareness of potential hazards.

The commemoration featured practical demonstrations by the Uganda Red Cross Society on rescue techniques and emergency response, equipping participants with knowledge of how to act when disaster strikes.

The event called for collective action by government institutions, construction professionals, landlords and residents to make disaster prevention part of everyday life.

As Kampala grows, the safety of its homes remains central to the wellbeing of its people. From obtaining building permits and protecting wetlands to keeping drainage channels free of rubbish, the decisions made by individuals and communities can help prevent avoidable disasters.