President Yoweri Museveni has directed government engineers to inspect permanent buildings across Uganda for earthquake resistance, warning that the country must strengthen its preparedness against future seismic disasters.
In Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, the President instructed civil engineers from the Ministries of Works and Transport, Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Local Government, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and other local governments to audit all permanent buildings within the next two years, beginning with high-rise structures.
Museveni said the directive was prompted by Uganda’s location along major earthquake fault lines, including the Aswa, Katonga and Rift Valley fault systems, which have produced destructive earthquakes over the years.
He cited the 1966 Tooro earthquake, the 1994 Kisomoro earthquake in the Rwenzori region and the 2016 Katonga earthquake as reminders of the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity.
The President also praised the resilience of Virika Cathedral in Fort Portal, noting that the structure survived past earthquakes because it was deliberately designed to withstand powerful tremors.
Drawing lessons from Japan, Museveni directed government engineers to work with public universities and international experts to develop new national earthquake-resistant building standards within 12 months.
Once the standards are approved, all future permanent buildings will be required to comply before construction can proceed.
The directive also calls for assessments of existing buildings to determine whether structurally weak properties can be retrofitted instead of demolished.
Museveni further observed that although traditional grass-thatched huts had several disadvantages, they often posed a lower risk of collapse during earthquakes because of their lighter construction.
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) June 30, 2026
He said Uganda must avoid disasters similar to the devastating 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes, which killed more than 50,000 people and displaced millions.
