Tororo Municipal Council has launched an enforcement operation targeting illegal construction sites in a bid to restore order and ensure compliance with the law.
Ayub Kisubi, the Town Clerk, directed that all ongoing construction activities without approved building plans be halted immediately until developers secure the necessary documentation from the council.
The crackdown is anchored in the Building Control Act, 2013, which requires all developers to submit architectural plans to both the Physical Planning Committee and the Building Committee for approval before commencing any construction works.
The law further mandates developers to facilitate committee sittings and pay prescribed fees to the urban authority as part of local revenue.Kisubi said the municipality will not tolerate unlawful developments that undermine urban planning standards.
“We have realized that several developers are putting up structures without approved plans, which is a clear violation of the law. We are not going to allow this to continue,” Kisubi said.
The operation that began in Bison A Village, where the Town Clerk halted construction at a site found operating without approved plans.According to Kisubi, the physical planning department was not aware of the ongoing works, indicating a clear breach of procedure.
“This particular site has no approved drawings, and the Physical Planning Office has no record of it. Such developments are illegal and must be stopped immediately,” he added.
He warned that illegal constructions not only deprive the council of much-needed local revenue but also pose serious safety risks to workers and future occupants due to a lack of professional oversight.
“When you bypass the approval process, you put lives at risk because there is no guarantee that the structure meets safety standards. At the same time, the council loses revenue that would be used to improve services,” Kisubi noted.
He has, however, instructed town agents across all wards to identify and document all illegal construction sites for enforcement action.“All town agents must compile lists of illegal constructions in their areas.
Those found culpable will face the law, including prosecution in courts,” he directed.
Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the enforcement exercise.
Paul Othieno, a resident of Bison A Village, welcomed the move, saying it will help bring order to the fast-growing municipality.“There are many buildings coming up without clear plans, and some of them look unsafe.
The council is right to intervene before accidents happen,” Othieno said.However, Allen Asio, a resident, offered a differing view, urging the authorities to first sensitize the public before enforcing the law.
“People should first be educated before this policy is fully implemented. Many people are not aware of these laws, so enforcement alone may not solve the problem,” Asio said.
Tororo Municipality, like many urban centers in Uganda, has in recent years experienced rapid and often unregulated physical development.
Authorities say the enforcement exercise is part of broader efforts to streamline urban growth, improve safety standards, and enhance revenue collection for service delivery.
The municipal leadership is now urging developers to comply with legal requirements to avoid disruptions and penalties. URN