Beyond the immediate danger posed to construction workers, the near-collapse has once again highlighted growing concerns over public safety in rapidly urbanising municipalities such as Mukono, where commercial development continues to expand.
Scores of construction workers narrowly escaped death on Monday afternoon after a multi-storey building under construction partially buckled along Bishop Tucker Road in Mukono Municipality, raising fresh concerns over compliance with building standards and enforcement of construction regulations.
The incident occurred as workers were pouring concrete on the second floor when one of the building’s supporting columns reportedly gave way, causing one side of the structure to lean inward and leaving the entire building dangerously unstable.
No fatalities or serious injuries had been reported by press time, with workers scrambling to safety moments after the structure began to fail.
One construction worker, who requested anonymity, claimed labourers had repeatedly raised concerns about the pace and quality of the work.
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“We warned that some construction stages appeared to have been skipped, but the engineer insisted that following every procedure would delay the project,” the worker alleged.
He further claimed that the site lacked consistent professional supervision, saying the supervising engineer was rarely present and that much of the work had been left to relatively inexperienced labourers.
The allegations could not be independently verified.
The incident drew a large crowd of residents, traders and motorists, many of whom questioned whether the project had been adequately inspected by municipal authorities.
Derrick Kijambu, a businessman operating opposite the site, blamed what he described as weak enforcement of building regulations.
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“Construction of the first phase started a long time ago. When the owner expanded the project, the earlier approved plans should have been reviewed. Authorities have failed to properly monitor these developments. In Mukono, many people construct buildings the way they want, and that is why we continue seeing such incidents,” Kijambu said.
Mukono Municipal Engineer Olivia Nantongo visited the scene shortly after the incident and conducted a preliminary inspection.
Nantongo said the municipality had launched investigations to establish the cause of the structural failure before deciding on the next course of action.
By Monday evening, authorities had not announced whether construction had been suspended or whether any enforcement action would be taken against the developer. The supervising engineer could not be reached for comment, with workers saying he had left the site shortly after the incident.
Renewed concerns over building safety.
The latest structural failure has reignited concerns over construction safety in Mukono Municipality, where several commercial buildings have previously experienced structural defects during or after construction.
Residents cited Muzza Plaza, which reportedly developed structural concerns during construction before eventually being completed and occupied. Similar concerns have previously been raised about the building housing Paris Corner Supermarket, where cracks reportedly appeared, prompting the installation of additional basement support columns.
Shades Garden has also been mentioned among buildings that experienced structural challenges during construction, while the Kasawo Commercial Building, whose upper floor was damaged by fire, was later refurbished and cleared for continued use following technical assessments.
Residents also pointed to the Satellite Building, where significant cracks reportedly forced owners to restrict access to the upper floor.
The recurring incidents have prompted renewed calls for comprehensive structural audits of commercial buildings across Mukono Municipality.
Several residents urged the National Building Review Board and other regulatory agencies to conduct independent inspections of buildings considered to be at risk before another incident results in loss of life.
Uganda’s building regulations require qualified engineers and other professionals to supervise construction projects, while local authorities are mandated to inspect developments at various stages to ensure compliance with approved plans and structural standards.
Construction experts say failures such as collapsed columns or buckled structures can result from a combination of factors, including poor structural design, substandard materials, inadequate reinforcement, unauthorized alterations to approved plans, overloading during construction or insufficient professional supervision.
The exact cause of Monday’s incident will be determined through a formal engineering investigation.
Beyond the immediate danger posed to construction workers, the near-collapse has once again highlighted growing concerns over public safety in rapidly urbanising municipalities such as Mukono, where commercial development continues to expand.
The incident is expected to intensify scrutiny of municipal inspection systems and enforcement of building standards, with residents warning that unless regulatory oversight is strengthened, similar incidents could eventually result in fatalities.