Kampala — OWNERS of buildings that collapse and kill occupants are to face tough penalties when a newly formulated Bill is passed into law, the transport state minister has announced.

Simon Ejua said the punishments stipulated in the Public Safety Act were "weak" and, therefore, could not deter anomalies in the construction industry.

"It is meant to address the shortfalls in existing laws. The Bill provides for the entire country to be declared a planning area, while also compelling developers to cater for people with disabilities," Ejua said.

The Building Control Bil is also intended to promote and ensure planned, decent and safe building structures that are at par with the environment and establish the national building review board.

Several buildings under construction in the city have collapsed and killed people at the sites. Following the most recent incident on Nasser Road in Kampala, the President was of the view that engineers in charge of the sites be hanged.

Ejua was opening a workshop to educate participants about the procurement procedures.

The rampant collapse of buildings, Ejua noted, was a consequence of shoddy work, use of substandard materials and failure to carry out tests on materials.

On procurement, he urged the participants to comply with regulations, arguing that they were meant to ensure transparency and accountability.

"It is your responsibility as accounting officers to ensure that the procurement of contractors and the execution of works is done in accordance with the law. The process should at all times be handled with utmost proficiency and care so as to ensure value for money," he said.

"The engineers as the technical people, on the other hand, should ensure that the specifications, including designs and bills of quantities are precise and clear so as to achieve the intended objectives," Ejua added.