The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has warned developers and investors against using fake physical planners when processing building plans, saying developments that do not follow the legal approval process risk demolition.
Vincent Byendaimira, the director of Physical Planning at KCCA, told Bbeg Media that the authority will not approve any building plan that has not gone through the procedures required by law.
“Those who go ahead with construction without proper plans risk having their developments demolished tomorrow or another day,” Byendaimira said.
He urged developers to work directly with the relevant physical planning offices at City Hall instead of relying on unauthorised individuals who claim to offer planning services.
According to Byendaimira, many developers have been manipulated by fake planners, leading to financial losses and delays in obtaining genuine approvals.
He said it was unfortunate that many members of the public still did not understand the building approval process, including the requirements and the time needed for plans to be processed.
To address this, KCCA plans to engage landlords and property owners in different parts of the city, including Kawempe and the Central Business District Extension, to increase awareness of the importance of obtaining approved building plans.
Byendaimira said proper physical planning would help solve several long-standing challenges facing Kampala. These include traffic congestion caused by buildings without adequate parking, poor drainage, flooding, sewage management, noise pollution, and road safety.
He added that compliance with approved plans would also increase the value of people’s properties and help investors get better returns from their developments.
Some city residents welcomed KCCA’s move, saying it would improve urban development.
Anthony Ntumwa, a property manager at Plot 7, Portal Avenue, said proper planning would attract more organised development and improve the city’s image.
However, others questioned whether KCCA would address existing infrastructure problems.
Rogers Sentongo, also from Portal Avenue, challenged the authority to resolve persistent flooding and sewage problems around Nakasero Market.
Former Workers MP Abdullah Byakatonda expressed concern about KCCA’s limited budget, saying the authority could face difficulties compensating people who may be affected by future enforcement exercises.
Other residents said the initiative had come too late because parts of Kampala had already been developed without proper planning.
One resident, Semakula, said the programme was welcome but should have been implemented much earlier before the city became heavily congested.
Another resident, Abdullah Musa, raised concerns about the increasing number of buildings without essential facilities such as parking spaces, lifts, and access for people with disabilities.
He also called for better regulation of cyclists operating within the city.
