Dealing with Construction Permits in
Uganda
Below is a detailed summary of the procedures, time and costs to build a warehouse in Uganda. This includes obtaining necessary licenses and permits, completing required notifications and inspections and obtaining utility connections.
This information was collected as part of the Doing Business project, which measures and compares regulations relevant to the life cycle of a small- to medium-sized domestic business in 185 economies. The most recent round of data collection was completed in June 2012. Read the methodology.
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Estimated Warehouse Value:
UGX 814,500,000
- City: Kampala
| No. |
Procedure |
Time to Complete |
Associated Costs |
| 1 |
Hire an independent private company to prepare the environmental impact assessement
Preparation of EIA is carried out by independent private firms recognized and licensed by NEMA to do so. Fees are incurred for the preparation of the EIA, are in this case anything from UGX 5,000,000.00 to UGX 15,000,000.00, depending on complexity and site conditions.
Agency: Private company
|
21 days
|
UGX 5,000,000
|
| 2 |
Request and obtain environmental impact assessment
It is now a legal requirement to obtain approval from the National Environment Management Authority.
Agency: National Environment Management Authority
|
21 days
|
UGX 2,000,000
|
| 3 |
Request and obtain approval of architectural drawings at the Local Authority
Threes copies of drawings are submitted to the local authority, each with a copy of the land title attached.
By law, 30 days is the time limit for the local authority to approve (or not) the drawings. However, in practice, it takes up to 90 days to obtain the approval. There is a provision whereby an applicant can write to the local authority after 30 days of submission of the drawings for approval to inquire about the status of the application. In the absence of a response, the applicant can notify the local authority of their intention to begin construction. The owner must start construction within 3 months of the approval date.
A zoning assessment is also needed if BuildCo has doubts about the compliance of the construction with the zoning requirements. The approval application fee is UGX 1,000.00 x 1,300.6 square meters + 18% VAT.
Agency: Construction Authority (Municipality)
|
60 days
|
UGX 1,534,708
|
| * 4 |
Submit construction drawings to the Land Registry and obtain clearance
One copy of the construction drawings is submitted to the Land Registry Office.
Agency: Land Registry Office
|
7 days
|
UGX 10,000
|
| * 5 |
Request and obtain a hoarding permit
All construction sites are required to provide for hoarding around the site of the works for the duration of the construction period. This is why BuildCo has to apply for a hoarding permit prior to erection of hoarding around any site.
Agency: Kampala Capital City Authority
|
7 days
|
UGX 59,000
|
| 6 |
Notify and receive inspection after building foundation work
The construction authorities inspect once at each of these stages: foundation work, structural work, drainage, damp proofing, boundary wall or fence erection, and completion.
Agency: Construction Authority (Municipality)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 7 |
Notify and receive inspection after structural work
Agency: Construction Authority (Municipality)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 8 |
Notify and receive inspection after drainage and damp proofing work
Agency: Construction Authority (Municipality)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 9 |
Notify and receive inspection after boundary wall or fence erection work
Agency: Construction Authority (Municipality)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| 10 |
Notify of the completion of construction and receive inspection
Agency: Construction Authority (Municipality)
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 11 |
Request provision of water and sewerage services
To connect to the water supply system, BuildCo needs to fill out forms and wait for a survey by field staff from the National Water and Sewerage Co. (NWSC) (which normally happens within 2 to 3 days), then return to the NWSC offices to obtain the invoices and a "materials list."
The customer buys all the materials necessary for connection, listed in the materials list (which includes the types and quantities of pipes and other accessories needed for the connection). The trenches for the pipes are also prepared by the customer.
Agency: National Water & Sewerage Corporation
|
1 day
|
UGX 600,000
|
| * 12 |
Receive survey/ inspection from the National Water & Sewerage Corporation
Agency: National Water & Sewerage Corporation
|
1 day
|
no charge
|
| * 13 |
Connect to water and sewerage
Agency: National Water & Sewerage Corporation
|
14 days
|
no charge
|
| * 14 |
Request and connect to telephone
Telephone service in Uganda has been privatized. Getting connected to any of the three companies should take a maximum of 3 days. Having a single line connected would cost about UGX 250,000.00.
According to the investment authority, the average time for installation is 1 -- 3 weeks. If companies are at capacity, the time can be 3 -- 6 months.
Agency: Umeme Ltd.
|
14 days
|
UGX 255,000
|
| * 15 |
Request and obtain occupation permit
BuildCo submits a signed certificate to the local authority stating that the building has been constructed in compliance with the approved plans.
Agency: Local Authority
|
14 days
|
UGX 50,000
|
* Takes place simultaneously with another procedure.
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