Engineers Push for Construction Sector Regulation as UIPE Launches Public Engagement Platform
The Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE) has intensified calls for the regulation of Uganda's construction industry, warning that the absence of a comprehensive legal framework continues to expose the public to substandard works and safety risks.
Speaking during the launch of the UIPE Voice platform at Hotel Africana in Kampala, UIPE President Eng. Peterson Mwesigwa said while the Engineers Registration Act regulates engineering practice in the country, there remains a glaring gap in the regulation of the broader construction sector.
"Unlike professions such as law and pharmacy, where only licensed professionals are permitted to practise, the construction industry remains largely unregulated, exposing the public to significant risks," Eng. Mwesigwa said.
He revealed that UIPE, in collaboration with government, is spearheading efforts to establish a regulatory framework for the construction sector aimed at enhancing accountability, professionalism and public safety.
According to Mwesigwa, effective regulation will not only safeguard the public but also ensure that practitioners are held accountable for their work.
The UIPE President made the remarks while unveiling UIPE Voice, a new platform designed to enhance public engagement, foster accountability and provide engineers with a stronger voice in national discourse.
He said the platform will keep members informed about institutional activities and challenges while enabling engineers to influence legislation, public policy and matters of national interest.
"Engineers must lead conversations on housing, electricity, infrastructure and other critical sectors. For too long, national discussions on technical issues have been dominated by non-engineers," he said.
The launch was officiated by the Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Eng. Hillary Onek, who described UIPE Voice as a landmark initiative that will bridge the gap between technical expertise and public understanding.
"UIPE Voice is a national platform for dialogue among engineers, government, industry, academia, the media and citizens. It will ensure that national priorities are informed by sound technical knowledge and practical experience," Onek said.
He noted that the engineering profession has historically remained largely invisible to the public despite its central role in national development, adding that the new platform would help transform engineers into trusted public voices on development issues.
Onek urged engineers to communicate more effectively with the public, shape public policy and actively participate in national conversations.
He cited past infrastructure challenges in Uganda that, he said, could have been avoided through better technical communication and foresight, stressing that UIPE Voice would provide a platform for verification, correction and informed debate on technical matters.
The minister further called on engineers to uphold professional integrity and prioritise ethical practice over financial gain.
He reaffirmed government's commitment to working with stakeholders to modernise Uganda's engineering regulatory framework and strengthen the profession.
Stakeholders from government, academia, industry and the media were urged to embrace the platform as a vehicle for multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing the country's development challenges.
The launch of UIPE Voice marks a significant step in positioning engineers at the centre of national discourse and underscores the profession's commitment to contributing to Uganda's socio-economic transformation.
