NBRB Probe Uncovers Illegal Construction and Flawed Design Behind Deadly Holy City Church Collapse

A preliminary investigation conducted by the National Building Review Board (NBRB) has shed light on the tragic collapse of the Holy City Church building in Entebbe, which resulted in one fatality and left 25 construction workers with severe injuries.

The catastrophic incident involved a four-level extension being added to an existing steel-frame church hall. According to technical standards, the high-capacity structure fell squarely under Class A categorization, demanding the highest level of statutory approval and rigorous professional oversight.

Investigators noted that the extension combined reinforced concrete with the older steel structure. The collapse occurred just as laborers were putting final touches on the building, including terrazzo flooring.

Technical findings highlight alarming design oversights, including massive concrete beams measuring up to 60 centimeters squared and stretching over six meters without adequate intermediate support. Inspectors also uncovered irregular steel reinforcement bar sizes within the concrete floor slabs, alongside uneven columns and beams that pointed toward deficient workmanship and absent professional supervision.

Crucially, the NBRB confirmed that the multi-million project proceeded entirely outside the law. Officials found no valid building permits, authorized structural designs, or regulatory clearance documentation at the site. Furthermore, the inspection revealed a total disregard for mandatory site safety measures and protective gear.

Under Section 45 of the Building Control Act, 2013, individuals whose negligence or failure to observe standards leads to site accidents resulting in injury or death face criminal prosecution. Convictions can carry severe penalties, including fines up to Shs 5.6 million, imprisonment for up to 12 years, or both.

Read the full details in the Daily Monitor.