Kampala, Uganda: President Museveni has signed into law three major laws aimed at tightening regulation in Uganda’s construction, housing finance and valuation sectors, in what government officials describe as a decisive step toward safer urban growth.
The President assented to the Building Control (Amendment) Act, 2025, the Mortgage Refinance Institutions Act, 2025, and the Valuation Act, 2025 during a ceremony at State House Entebbe, according to a statement from the Presidency.
Tougher Penalties for Illegal Construction
Under the amended Building Control law, government introduces stricter penalties for illegal construction and non-compliance with approved building standards.
Officials say the move is intended to curb unsafe building practices that have plagued rapidly expanding towns and cities, where collapsing structures and substandard works have raised public safety concerns.
Uganda’s fast-paced urbanisation has put pressure on regulatory enforcement, with authorities citing more than a dozen fatalities annually linked to unsafe construction practices.
Bank of Uganda to Regulate Mortgage Refinance Institutions
The Mortgage Refinance Institutions Act, 2025 grants expanded regulatory powers to the Bank of Uganda, enabling it to supervise mortgage refinance institutions.
Government says this will strengthen oversight of the housing finance sector and improve access to long-term financing for homeowners, a key bottleneck in Uganda’s housing market.
By deepening the mortgage market, officials argue, the law could lower borrowing costs and increase liquidity for financial institutions offering home loans.
Institute of Certified Valuers Established
The Valuation Act, 2025, provides for the establishment of the Institute of Certified Valuers, a statutory body that will oversee professional standards, registration and regulation of valuers across the country.
The Presidency said the law is expected to professionalise valuation services, ensuring consistency and integrity in property assessment, a critical component of mortgage lending, compensation claims and infrastructure development.
In a statement, the Presidency noted that “the three laws are expected to streamline construction oversight, deepen the mortgage market and professionalise valuation services, in support of Uganda’s urban development and housing growth agenda.”
The government maintains that the reforms will strengthen accountability across the entire construction and housing value chain — from building approvals and financing to valuation standards — as Uganda grapples with accelerating urbanisation and population growth.
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