Hire an independent private company to prepare the environmental impact assessement
Agency: Private Company
Preparation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) is carried out by independent private firms recognized and licensed by National Environment Management Authority. Fees are incurred for the preparation of the EIA; the cost would range from UGX 5,000,000 to UGX 15,000,000, depending on the project complexity and site conditions.
Time and cost: 21 days, UGX 5,000,000
Request and obtain approval from National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Agency: National Environment Management Authority
NEMA requires an environmental impact assessment preliminary report to be undertaken on a project prior to its construction. Only consultants registered by NEMA are allowed to provide environmental impact assessment submissions, whether as an EIA project report or a full EIA study. The lead environmental expert must be registered with NEMA.
The environmental consultant requires to provide a complete set of architectural drawings to accompany the compiled EIA project report.
Time and cost: 21 days, UGX 1,250,000
Obtain a search letter from the KCCA
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
A search letter is first carried out to ascertain the ownership of the land and that there are no encumbrances on this land. It must be no more than 3 months old.
Once this confirmation is received, the process of requesting a building permit may start.
Time and cost: 7 days, UGX 10,000
Receive onsite inspection by members of NEMA
Agency: National Environment Management Authority
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Obtain assessment of the plans by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
KCCA provides an assessment or screening of the general plans. KCCA gives feedback on the planning process for the project before proceeding to the next approval stage of the full plan. The main purpose of the assessment is to calculate the inspection fees payable for the application/submission and this assessment is based on the full plans.
The legal basis for this procedure lies in rule no 7 of the Public Health (Building) Rules: 7(1) “Every person who sends or delivers any plan, section, elevation or drawing to the local authority under rule 6(1) (b) of these Rules shall, at the time of the sending or delivery, pay to the local authority an inspection fee based upon the superficial area of every floor of the building which he or she proposes to erect at the appropriate rate for the class to which the building belongs.”
Time and cost: 3 days, no charge
Request and obtain approval of plans and receive building permit
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
All construction sites are required to provide for hoarding around the site of the works for the duration of the construction period.
A Technical Review Team (TRT) comprising of engineers, physical planners, environmental officers, and architects has been developed to visit the construction site within one week after the application has been submitted. They are expected to start conducting inspections in the coming year.
Time and cost: 30 days, UGX 1,460,600
Request and obtain hoarding permit
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
The hoarding permit requires a separate application. It takes on average 2 weeks after the application to be obtained. KCCA calls the customer to pick up the permit.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Request and obtain the “job card”
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
The constructor will apply for a job card, which is basically a commencement of work. KCCA will inspect the construction site and then will give a letter to commence construction and also a “Job Card” which is then signed during the various stages of construction inspection.
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Notify and receive inspection after building foundation work
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
There are several main inspections during construction:
- First inspection is during the pouring of the foundation
- Second inspection is during the installation of steel bars and foundation concrete
- Floor inspection – for each floor, during the critical elements of building – ie, suspended floor columns.
- Inspection after drainage and damp proofing work (this inspection might not happen often in practice)
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify and receive inspection after structural work
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
BuildCo calls KCCA to inform of completion of each stage of construction and the inspectors come and inspect and sign on job card. Inspectors are usually available and inspect within 2-3 days of being called.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify and receive inspection after the completion of the first floor
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
BuildCo calls KCCA to inform of completion of each stage of construction and the inspectors come and inspect and sign on job card. Inspectors are usually available and inspect within 2-3 days of being called.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify and receive inspection after the completion of the second floor
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
BuildCo calls KCCA to inform of completion of each stage of construction and the inspectors come and inspect and sign on job card. Inspectors are usually available and inspect within 2-3 days of being called.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify and receive inspection after drainage and damp proofing work
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
BuildCo calls KCCA to inform of completion of each stage of construction and the inspectors come and inspect and sign on job card. Inspectors are usually available and inspect within 2-3 days of being called.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Notify of the completion of construction and receive a final inspection
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
BuildCo calls KCCA to inform of completion of each stage of construction and the inspectors come and inspect and sign on job card. Inspectors are usually available and inspect within 2-3 days of being called.
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Request provision of water and sewerage services
Agency: National Water & Sewerage Corporation
New connection can be applied for online.The information entered is processed and a surveyor sent to the customer’s premise to determine the material requirements. Connection expenses are calculated by the surveyor based on the connection type, distance from the mains, whether it is a new connection or a separation of account. NWSC caters for connection expenses within 50 meters, beyond that, the customer caters for any extra meters. The customer is given a payment advise slip and pays new connection fees, whose amount depends on the size of the service for instance, ½, ¾, 1 inch connection. When all the above has been done the customer is connected to NWSC service(s) by staff in charge. No official fee schedule, cost is calculated by NWSC based on the connection.
Time and cost: 1 day, UGX 600,000
Receive survey inspection from the National Water & Sewerage Corporation
Agency: National Water & Sewerage Corporation
Time and cost: 1 day, no charge
Connect to water and sewerage
Agency: National Water & Sewerage Corporation
Time and cost: 14 days, no charge
Request and obtain occupation permit
Agency: Local Authority
BuildCo submits a signed certificate to the local authority stating that the building has been constructed in compliance with the approved plans. It can then receive the occupation permit.
Time and cost: 14 days, UGX 80,000
