Lira City Council, in partnership with VNG International, SDLG, and the National Building Review Board (NBRB), convened a two-day workshop on the Building Industry Management System (BIMS) at Margaritha Palace Hotel Ltd.

The workshop aimed to enhance understanding, compliance, and collaboration among key stakeholders involved in the city’s physical planning and building control processes.

The event drew participation from the Town Clerk, Building Committee, Physical Planning Committee, Town Agents, Revenue Officers, Law Enforcement Team, Architects, Engineers, Developers, Speaker, Communication Officer, and the Chairperson of the Building Committee.

External participants included Mr. Elias Rwakitundu (Lawyer, NBRB), Ms. Rachael Nantale (IT Officer, NBRB), and Ms. Pamela Acidri (and company) of VNG International.

Although the Mayor could not attend, his office was represented by the Speaker of Lira City Council, who delivered remarks on his behalf.

Discussions and Experiences

Participants shared their experiences and challenges with the current BIMS operations.

Key issues raised included:

Delays in the building plan approval process.
Misconceptions among developers, many of whom first approach law enforcement instead of the Building Control Committee.
Reports of inspectors requesting facilitation fees during site inspections without issuing official receipts.

The workshop also provided a platform for participants to outline their expectations for improving BIMS functionality. These included:

Sensitization and training for developers and professionals.
Clear definition of roles/ inclusion for revenue and internal audit staff.
Integration between BIMS and iRAS to enhance revenue management.
Streamlined requirements and communication among stakeholders.
Inclusion of accessibility features for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Development of checklists for different classes of buildings and improved monitoring of the Building Control Committee’s performance.
Reduction of revenue leakages and improved compliance with building regulations.

Town Clerk’s Remarks

The Town Clerk emphasized that the introduction of BIMS was initially viewed as another digital reform, but it has now proven to be a transformative system that integrates several critical urban management functions.

He noted that the system is fully operated by the City Council and that any challenges arising will be jointly addressed by all stakeholders.

He further acknowledged the earlier difficulties experienced in the FY2024/2025 financial year regarding revenue collection but confirmed that the systems are now fully integrated. He also encouraged all stakeholders to take the workshop seriously ans attend promptly.

“This workshop is a golden opportunity for us all to understand how BIMS works and to use it effectively to improve service delivery. The goal is not to extract taxes from developers but to ensure compliance with the law and support revenue generation for our city’s growth,”
said the Town Clerk.

He extended special appreciation to VNG International, particularly Ms. Pamela Acidri, for her continued support in addressing city challenges proactively.

Technical Sessions

Presentation by the Senior Building Control Officer (BCO), Eng Fred Okune

The Senior BCO provided a comprehensive presentation on:

The evolution and purpose of BIMS.
The correlation between BIMS and iRAS.
The roles and responsibilities of the Building Control Committee (BCC).
Common challenges in building control and proposed recommendations for improvement.

Presentation by the National Building Review Board (NBRB)

Mr. Elias Rwakitundu of NBRB led a highly interactive session, emphasizing the need for open discussion and practical learning.
He revisited key topics including:

The Building Control Act, 2013 and Physical Planning Act, 2010, explaining the different mandates of the Physical Planning Committee (PPC) and the Building Control Committee (BCC).
Regulatory requirements for temporary and permanent structures, clarifying that temporary buildings—though sometimes strong—must meet structural, health, and safety standards and be demolished after their approved duration (not exceeding three years, extendable by one year through the National Building Court).
The validity of building permits, which expire after 60 months, and conditions for their revocation under Regulation 25.
The importance of professional integrity and adherence to approved plans.

He further presented visual examples of poor architectural and planning practices, prompting participants to identify design and compliance gaps.

Remarks by the Speaker (On Behalf of the Mayor)

Representing the Mayor, the Speaker of Lira City Council reiterated the distinctions between the roles of the PPC and BCC and their relevance in ensuring proper urban development.

He thanked all participants for their active engagement and urged them to return for the practical demonstration session on BIMS.

He officially closed the morning sensitization session, inviting attendees to lunch before the hands-on exercises resumed.

Day Two: Practical Demonstration and Action Planning

The second day featured a practical session led by Ms. Rachael Nantale (NBRB IT Officer), who guided participants through the use of BIMS via the test platform (test.bims.go.ug).

She demonstrated how various stakeholders—from planners to developers—can access and utilize the system.
She clarified specific details such as:

Calculation of building height (excluding the roof).
Boundary wall considerations, noting that such walls are not billed separately during assessment.

Ms. Pamela Acidri of VNG International facilitated an action planning session, resulting in key commitments:

Lira City Council Tasked To:

Conduct continuous public sensitization on BIMS.
Facilitate Building Committee members and minimize bureaucratic delays.
Prevent confiscation of construction materials without due process.
Establish a BIMS Help Desk for developer support.
Enforce site actions only when authorized by the Accounting Officer or BCO.
Identify and accredit professional practitioners within the city.
Eliminate unauthorized transport allowances during inspections.
Reduce revenue leakages through system monitoring.
Empower Town Agents to report developers who default on payments.
Establish a City Council Court for handling building-related disputes.
Request NBRB to organize public barazas for continued awareness.

NBRB Tasked To:

Provide updated ICT manuals, checklists, and brochures.
Integrate BIMS with other national systems such as PPUMIS.
Review BIMS to allow multiple building classes in one application.
Appoint focal persons in each region for better coordination.
Support ongoing sensitization through radio talk shows and stakeholder engagements.

The BIMS Workshop was hailed as a significant milestone in advancing digital transformation and compliance in the construction and planning sector of Lira City.

Through shared insights, technical training, and collaborative planning, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that BIMS becomes a transparent, efficient, and inclusive system that promotes sustainable urban development and improved service delivery for all residents of Lira City.

Posted by:
Lira City Council Communications Office
For inquiries and updates, visit www.liracity.go.ug