By Spy Uganda
The Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), Col. Edith Nakalema, has called on the National Building Review Board (NBRB) to maximize the use of their Building Industry Management System (BIMS) to eliminate inefficiencies and fight corruption within Uganda’s construction sector.

Speaking at the close of the 3-day Annual Building Control Workshop held at Lake View Hotel in Mbarara City, Col. Nakalema emphasized that automation will not only speed up approvals but also enhance service delivery and revenue collection.
“Through BIMS, we shall reduce bureaucracy and eliminate bad actors from the system. This will enable efficient and transparent building control,” she said.

Organized by NBRB, the workshop brought together Building Control Officers (BCOs) and Physical Planners (PPs) from across the country. Col. Nakalema assured them of SHIPU’s continued support in creating a conducive environment for investors.

She urged building sector players to uphold integrity, pointing to consistent public complaints against the sector—ranging from delayed approvals and poor planning, to corruption in procurement and substandard construction.
“Ugandans are concerned about delayed projects, inflated contract requirements, and structural defects caused by poor workmanship,” she said. “We must address these issues if we are to protect investors and the general public.”
The Executive Secretary of NBRB, Eng. Flavia Gutto Bwire, commended the commitment of BCOs and PPs in improving infrastructure. She noted that the BIMS platform now ensures faster plan approvals and transparency.
“NBRB exists to serve all stakeholders, including investors. We are committed to making the system more efficient and people-centered,” she said.
Mr. Denis Sekitoleko, Chairperson of the Building Control Officers, presented workshop resolutions, which included joint sensitization campaigns with Physical Planners and closer collaboration with NBRB for effective monitoring.
Mr. Mwijuka Simon, Chairperson of Mbarara City Traders Association, representing the private sector, applauded NBRB for its regulatory role but raised concerns about lax enforcement and inadequate site supervision.
“You rarely visit construction sites, yet this is critical for safety and planning,” Mwijuka said.
The workshop also focused on streamlining workflows, clarifying roles in plan approvals and site inspections, and harmonizing operations across Local Governments.