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NBRB closes Nakaseke school for failure to comply with building guidelines

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NBRB closes Nakaseke school for failure to comply with building guidelines
One of the poorly constructed buildings at the school.

The National Building Review Board(NBRB) has closed Smile Nursery and Primary School , Ssemuto in Nakaseke district for failure to comply with building guidelines.

According to the NBRB communication manager, Herbert Zziwa, they made an impromptu visit to the school following a social media video about a non-complaint building operation at the school.

He said at the school, they found three structures, including a three storied partially complete and occupied structure being used as classrooms, boy's dormitory, and administration offices, a new building under construction and an incomplete but occupied dormitory block 400metres away from the two structures.

According to Zziwa, the  partially complete and occupied dormitory block housed 64 female pupils, two teachers and a matron

“ All the building operations were being conducted illegally without building and occupation permits as required by section 34 and 44(3) of the Building Control Act (BCA), 2013. Windows of the occupied structures were permanently closed with timber, leaving inadequate lighting and ventilation contrary to the  National Building (Building Standards) Code, 2019. Accommodation facilities for the boarding pupils were inadequate,” Zziwa said.

He explained that the team on the ground also noticed that only one pit latrine and bathroom had been provided for the entire learner's population.

The team from NBRB also found out that with the exception of the girl's dormitory block, the rest of the structures for the school were constructed using non-conventional methods consisting of suspended slabs constructed using a framework of timber joists, expanded metal lath nailed at the bottom and mortar poured at top.

All these were not approved of the building committee.

“The structures exhibited severe structural defects including structural cracks on columns, beams and slabs; excessive deflection of the suspended slabs and beams; localised settlements and diagonal cracks on ground bearing slab; and excessive vibrations of the slabs.”

According to Zziwa, an interaction with the town engineer for Ssemuto indicated that he had inspected the construction works and advised the developer on certain aspects of the works but there was no evidence of him having ever taken any action as the responsible officer.

“Having realized all these defects, the school has been closed and parents are called upon to pick their children,” Zziwa said.

He said the Semuto Town Council Building Committee has been directed to issue a stop order and order the developer to demolish the structures.

“Legal action is to be taken against all the perpetrators but also follow up visits shall be made by NBRB to collect more information and support the building committee.”

Zziwa urged the public to stay vigilant and continue to report such non- compliant building operations.

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