Investigating implementation strategies towards elimination of structural failure of buildings in Uganda: a case study of Kampala city

Abstract

In Kampala City, the failure of buildings has occurred frequently leading to increase in the spate of building collapse that have claimed many lives of people. In the past three years, Kampala has recorded quite a number of cases of building failures in areas like Buziga, Najjera, Nansana, Makindye and Makerere where buildings have collapsed killing many people on the spot. Although different strategies to eliminate structural failure of buildings have been devised by Kampala Capital City Authority, the challenge continues to affect different parts of the city, causes of which this study is examining. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Quantitative data collection was aided by use of questionnaires with closed ended questions administered to 96 respondents and then qualitative data, by use of an interview guide. The study findings indicate that the major cause of structural failure of buildings was buildings without approved drawings which was ranked first, use of unqualified and non-registered engineers during construction ranked second while poor workmanship was the least ranked factor. The major impacts created by failure of structural buildings were; failure to pay borrowed resources from financial institutions ranked first, followed by loss of resources by the developer and unemployment was ranked last. Similarly, findings on the existing strategies to eliminate structural building failure revealed that planning was ranked 1st, followed by effective communication among all the parties involved in the construction process. In conclusion, the high spate of collapse of buildings in Kampala city was found to be mainly man-made in nature. The developed framework of the study promises to establish the building committee that is made up of Division Physical Planners, UIPE representatives and EBR members. The framework also advocates the establishment of line ministries responsible of training, monitoring and offer advisory services to construction companies and KCCA. The study recommends the need for enhancement of coordination among the MDAs charged with planning and development of Kampala City, the need to involve task forces at division level that integrate the LC1 chairpersons on the board, increased outreach and sensitization of the population about failure to report suspected cases of buildings in progress that seem to be deviating from the basic construction norms among others.