The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to strengthening Uganda’s engineering sector, calling for greater support for local professionals, enhanced accountability, and a renewed focus on quality and sustainability in infrastructure development.
Speaking at the Annual Engineers’ Conference held at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Wednesday, Tayebwa joined members of the engineering fraternity as they unveiled their five-year strategic plan and launched the Engineers’ Registration Board’s new digital licensing system.
Tayebwa commended engineers for their critical role in national development, describing them as indispensable to Uganda’s social and economic transformation.
“Engineers are responsible for building and maintaining both public and private infrastructure that drives economic growth and improves the quality of life of our people. As Parliament, we are committed to supporting the growth of a vibrant, ethical, and responsible engineering profession through appropriate legislation and policies,” he said.
He urged government entities to prioritize Ugandan engineers in the award of public contracts, stressing the need to remove restrictive clauses in procurement processes that unfairly disadvantage local professionals. Tayebwa emphasized that empowering domestic expertise would strengthen the national economy while building local capacity and long-term self-reliance in the engineering sector.
“Government agencies must ensure that procurement frameworks create a level playing field for Ugandan engineers to compete for opportunities within their own country,” he said.
At the same time, Tayebwa cautioned engineers against delivering substandard work, particularly in government projects at the district level, where cases of poor-quality execution have been reported.
“Delivering substandard work undermines public trust and tarnishes the reputation of the profession. Engineers must uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in every project they undertake,” he said, warning against professional compromise or undue pressure from politicians or other actors.
Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in engineering practice, Tayebwa advised professionals not to over-rely on emerging technologies at the expense of sound professional judgment. While acknowledging AI’s benefits in enhancing efficiency and innovation, he stressed that it should complement—not replace—thorough planning, supervision, and accountability.
“Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool, but engineers must remain actively engaged in the design and implementation of projects to ensure quality standards are upheld,” he said.
Tayebwa also highlighted the urgent need for sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure in light of the growing effects of climate change. He urged engineers to integrate environmental protection into their designs and construction practices.
“Infrastructure development must protect, not destroy, the environment. Sustainable design and climate-resilient construction should be at the core of your work to safeguard our communities for generations to come,” he said.
The conference brought together engineers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of the profession in Uganda, with a strong focus on innovation, ethics, and sustainable development. The launch of the Engineers’ Registration Board digital licensing system is expected to streamline professional accreditation and enhance regulatory oversight within the sector.
