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Gov’t maintains ban on Steel-Timber-Concrete Building method

Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala story by Olivia Nabaggala

The Government has maintained a ban on the use of Steel-Timber-Concrete (STC) composite building method in Uganda citing structural safety risks.

In 2022, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala used his powers through Section 42 of the Building Control Act and prohibited the use of STC since it was illegal but many Ugandans who had been using the method complained about the ban.

This prompted the Minister to institute a 13-member committee comprising of professionals from various institutions within the building sector on May 18th 2023  which was assigned to investigate on the STC method and out of the 2,954 ongoing building operations in Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono and Mpigi, 4.7% of the buildings were found using STC method.

While addressing journalists in Kampala, Katumba Wamala revealed that some of the findings discovered by the committee instituted included among others; lack of adequate engineering basis, lack of composite action, very poor wield connections, lack of specification in timber grades hence reiterating Government’s position of banning the method since it is unsafe.

Minister Katumba also advised those who have been using this method to engage qualified professional engineers to carry out structural integrity to see whether the construction can be improved or demolished.

He also urged Building Committees in various districts to refrain from approving plans without going into detail of the design report, and specification of the materials among others.

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