Works Minister Eng. Abraham Byandala has hailed Uganda National Action on Physical Disability (UNAPD) for spearheading the production of Accessibility Standards in Uganda and has promised to make it part of the Building Control Act meant to regulate construction of buildings and other facilities.
The Standards are a guide to architects, civil engineers, constructors and property developers on how to construct buildings and facilities suitable for every one’s use including persons with disabilities.
“I really congratulate and respect you for producing these guidelines. I have no objection to making the Standards part of the law. I am happy that you have come early to discuss this with me. I will make sure that we do what you want. Also keep in touch with Parliament to support the Bill when it comes to the House for debate,” the minister said. This was in a meeting between UNAPD, Works Ministry and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. Sulaiman Madada the minister in charge of elderly and disability in the Gender Ministry arranged and attended this meeting together with officials from his ministry. The Gender Ministry was so instrumental in the development of the Standards that were launched in 2008. Byandala said that he personally acknowledges the challenges PWDs go through in regard to accessibility and emphasized that accessibility is for all.
“I have also started to experience accessibility challenges because of age,” he says. “I will also alert my colleagues’ inn the Uganda governmnet to take care of accessibility needs when they are constructing buildings.”
He said the Building Control Bill is before Cabinet for scrutiny, and the development of the regulations to operationalise it when it becomes an Act will begin soon. The meeting was also attended by the Commissioner for Building, Arch. Harry Kazahure. “Architect Kazahure will lead the process of making the regulations. Please, keep in touch with him,” the minister advised
his visitors led by the treasurer, Ark Goffin Candria. Kazahure said the regulations will be developed by the Ministry of Justice and will provide for the Standards as an annex to the Building Control Act. Madada thanked the Ministry of Works for the promise to legalise the Standards, and said it will be in line with the Government’s commitment to empower people to live a better and fulfilling life. Candria explained to the minister the intensive consultative process of developing the Standards, and expressed optimism that the lives of PWDs will greatly improve if the Standards are legalised and enforced in Uganda.