Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s seismic readiness has once again been placed under national scrutiny following renewed emphasis by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni through Executive Order No. 1 of 2023, which outlines the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes and calls for urgent reforms in building standards, engineering oversight, and disaster preparedness systems. The Executive Order, issued under Article 99(1) of the 1995 Constitution, reflects long-standing concerns raised at different intervals in Uganda’s recent history, including notable seismic events in the Rwenzori region and the Katonga Valley fault zone. It also draws attention to geological assessments suggesting that Uganda sits along multiple fault lines, raising the risk of future seismic activity.
Uganda’s seismic profile is shaped by its position within the East African Rift System, one of the most active tectonic zones on the continent. According to the President’s directive, fault lines running through the River Aswa corridor, the Katonga basin, and the broader Rift Valley system expose parts of the country to moderate to potentially severe earthquakes. Historical events reinforce this concern. The 1994 Kisomoro earthquake in the Rwenzori region, measured at magnitude 6.2, caused structural damage in Fort Portal and surrounding areas. Earlier tremors in 1966 also left visible cracks in key structures, including the Tooro Kingdom palace, highlighting the structural vulnerability of older buildings. While Uganda has not experienced catastrophic earthquake-related fatalities on the scale of recent disasters in countries such as Turkey and Syria, the Executive Order warns against complacency, emphasizing that low frequency should not be mistaken for low risk.
The Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 establishes a structured national response framework focused on engineering audits, regulatory reform, and international technical collaboration. It directs civil engineering departments across key institutions including the Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Local Government, and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to conduct nationwide structural assessments of permanent buildings.
High-rise and multi-storey structures are prioritized, with a requirement that audits be completed within two years. The objective is to establish a national database on building resilience under seismic stress conditions. In parallel, the Order mandates a 12-month technical review to determine Uganda’s minimum seismic building standards. This includes evaluating whether national construction codes should be calibrated to withstand earthquakes of up to magnitude 9, referencing global engineering benchmarks and lessons from countries such as Japan.
Japan is cited as a reference point in the Executive Order due to its advanced earthquake-resistant infrastructure and early warning systems. While the country continues to experience seismic activity, stringent building codes, public preparedness, and engineering innovation have significantly reduced mortality rates. Uganda’s policy direction seeks to adapt similar principles, particularly in urban development zones experiencing rapid vertical expansion. The emphasis is on preventive engineering rather than post-disaster reconstruction, a shift that aligns with global disaster risk reduction frameworks promoted by institutions such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
A key directive in the Order is the enforcement of updated building codes. Within one year of establishing national standards, no permanent structure is to be constructed without compliance certification. This provision places increased responsibility on engineers, contractors, and regulatory authorities to ensure strict adherence to safety benchmarks. The Order further raises policy questions regarding existing non-compliant structures, particularly high-rise buildings in urban centers. Government engineers are expected to assess whether retrofitting or structural reinforcement is feasible or whether phased decommissioning may be required in extreme cases.
Balancing Modern Infrastructure and Indigenous Knowledge
Interestingly, the Executive Order also reflects on traditional Ugandan housing systems, noting that while they lacked modern conveniences, their lightweight structures often demonstrated relative resilience to ground movement. This observation opens a broader policy conversation about integrating indigenous architectural knowledge with modern engineering solutions. The directive encourages exploration of hybrid construction models that combine cultural architectural insights with modern seismic-resistant materials and techniques.
Ultimately, Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 frames earthquake preparedness as a matter of national security, urban planning, and sustainable development. It underscores the need for inter-agency coordination, scientific research, and international collaboration to reduce Uganda’s vulnerability to natural hazards. As Uganda continues to urbanize rapidly, particularly in Kampala and secondary cities, the pressure on infrastructure systems is increasing. The Executive Order therefore arrives at a critical moment, urging a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive resilience planning.
Uganda’s earthquake preparedness remains a work in progress, shaped by geological realities, infrastructural challenges, and evolving governance priorities. The Executive Order signals a decisive push toward strengthening national resilience through engineering standards, regulatory enforcement, and scientific engagement. Whether these directives translate into sustained institutional action will determine how effectively Uganda can withstand future seismic risks in an increasingly unpredictable global environment.
