Kasese Municipality is facing a surge in illegal construction, with officials revealing that just 40 percent of residents obtain official approval before building.
Authorities have warned that continued defiance of planning regulations could result in heavy fines and demolition of unlawful structures.
Despite being regarded as one of Uganda’s better-planned urban centers, Kasese is under pressure from unregulated development, particularly in newly annexed areas.
Many developers reportedly construct buildings without authorization, sometimes in restricted zones and under cover of night to evade enforcement teams.
Wilfred Baluku, Senior Physical Planner at the municipality, said compliance remains low, posing serious challenges to orderly urban growth.
“Currently, only about 40 percent of developers follow the required procedures. The rest are building illegally, which affects proper planning and service delivery,” Baluku stated.
He emphasized that enforcement will be intensified, with violators facing serious consequences.
“Those who continue constructing without approval risk penalties, including demolition. We are committed to enforcing the law to restore order,” he added.
Baluku noted that the Building Control Act is now fully operational, providing authorities with stronger legal backing to act against defiant developers.
“The law is now in force, and before it catches up with anyone, as an enforcement officer, I will have already taken action,” he said.
Beyond illegal construction, Kasese Municipality is grappling with widespread land grabbing and encroachment on public spaces, Mayor Chance Kahindo noted.
“We are seeing increasing cases of land grabbing and encroachment on open spaces, which undermines our efforts to maintain a well-organized and planned municipality,” he said.
The mayor also addressed public misconceptions about compensation during enforcement, clarifying that no compensation is provided when illegal structures are demolished.
“Some residents expect compensation when illegal structures are removed, but this is not provided for. If you build illegally, you do so at your own risk,” he said.
As the municipality positions itself for city status, officials stress the need to reinforce urban planning systems to ensure sustainable and orderly development.
Authorities believe that strict enforcement, coupled with public awareness, will be key to preserving the town’s structure and improving its overall outlook.
