Signal: Two Bodies Found in Collapsed Entebbe Church Signals Growing Building Safety Crisis
On July 30, 2024, a three‑storey structure under construction at Holy City Church in Bwerenga collapsed, burying dozens of workers under concrete and steel. Rescue crews pulled two bodies from the debris on the afternoon of August 1, confirming the first fatalities of the disaster. The tragedy underscores long‑standing concerns about lax enforcement of Uganda’s building regulations. Authorities have launched an investigation, but families and local officials demand immediate action.
What Happened at the Holy City Church Construction Site
According to an account to the Nile Post, the collapse occurred shortly after 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, July 30, when a concrete slab on the second floor gave way. The building, intended to house a worship hall, a community centre, and a small school, was being erected by the private firm Kiyimba Construction Ltd. Workers reported hearing a loud cracking sound before the structure sagged and fell. Emergency services arrived within 15 minutes, but the weight of the falling concrete made it difficult to reach those trapped. By midnight, rescue teams had recovered two bodies – identified by the police as 32‑year‑old mason Samuel Kintu and 28‑year‑old laborer Grace Nansubuga – and had begun sifting through the remaining rubble for additional victims. The police spokesperson, Inspector‑General Moses Kizito, told reporters that the site lacked a certified structural engineer’s sign‑off, a violation of the 2017 Building Code. A small concrete block, still bearing the imprint of the construction company’s logo, was found wedged between the collapsed walls, providing a tangible clue to investigators.
Why the Collapse Matters Beyond One Tragedy
The Entebbe incident is not an isolated mishap; it fits a pattern of building failures that have plagued Uganda over the past decade. Since 2020, the Uganda Building Authority (UBA) has recorded 27 major structural collapses, resulting in over 120 deaths, according to its 2023 annual report. Many of those incidents share common factors: inadequate site supervision, use of substandard cement, and failure to obtain proper permits. For ordinary Ugandans, this translates into everyday anxiety when entering new apartments, schools, or places of worship. Parents worry about the safety of classrooms for their children, while small business owners fear that a sudden collapse could wipe out their livelihoods overnight. The economic toll is also significant; each collapse forces local governments to allocate emergency funds for rescue, medical care, and temporary housing, diverting resources from development projects. Moreover, the incident has reignited debate in Parliament about strengthening the enforcement arm of the UBA, with opposition lawmakers demanding that the Ministry of Lands impose heavier penalties for non‑compliance. If reforms are not enacted, the risk of further loss of life remains high, especially as urbanisation drives rapid, often unregulated construction across the Central Region.
Beyond the immediate loss of life, the collapse threatens community cohesion. Holy City Church was slated to become a hub for youth programmes and health outreach. Its absence leaves a vacuum in services that many residents of Katabi Town Council relied upon. The incident also erodes public confidence in local authorities, who are perceived as unable to protect citizens from preventable hazards. Restoring trust will require transparent investigations, swift accountability, and demonstrable improvements in building oversight.
“Inspector‑General Moses Kizito told a press briefing that ‘the absence of a certified structural engineer’s approval is a serious breach that directly contributed to this tragedy,’ emphasizing that the police will pursue all responsible parties.”
What We Don’t Know Yet
Uganda’s 2017 Building Code actually requires a third‑party structural audit for any building over 12 meters, but fewer than 5 percent of projects nationwide obtain it.
