Kampala, Uganda — The Engineering Registration Board (ERB) has suspended structural engineer Frederick Mubiru from professional practice, citing multiple instances of professional misconduct linked to fatal building collapses.
According to an official notice dated May 7, 2025, and signed by ERB Registrar Eng. Ronald Namugera, Mubiru’s suspension took effect on April 25, following a disciplinary hearing that found him culpable for negligence and non-compliance with engineering standards on several construction projects.
The decision comes after a series of investigations dating back to 2021, including a December 2024 suspension that was temporarily lifted after Mubiru challenged the process in court.
High Court Judge Esta Nambayo ruled that Mubiru had been denied a fair hearing and ordered the ERB to give him an opportunity to defend himself.
Following this directive, Mubiru appeared before the ERB Disciplinary Committee on January 28, 2025, alongside complainants from the National Building Review Board (NBRB).
After the hearing, the committee concluded that Mubiru had indeed breached multiple engineering standards, leading to dangerous and substandard work.
One of the most damning cases involved the collapse of a retaining wall at Goodluck Oil Fuel Station in Ndejje-Kanyanya, Wakiso District, on December 4, 2023.
Investigators found that Mubiru failed to visit the site, did not sign a formal contract with the client, and made critical design assumptions without conducting essential geotechnical investigations.
Another notable case cited was the collapse of a warehouse floor at Sun Labelling Company Ltd in Mpigi District on December 22, 2022.
The committee found that Mubiru had failed to report the unauthorized use of his professional stamp and signature — a serious breach of ethical duty.
Additionally, Mubiru was faulted for his role in the collapse of a five-storey building on Major Victor Bwana Road in Mbarara City on October 5, 2021.
The Board said he executed the structural design without visiting the site or conducting soil analysis, leading to critical misjudgments in the foundation design.
“These actions point to a disregard for basic engineering protocols, including site reconnaissance, client engagement through formal contracts, and professional accountability,” said Eng. Namugera.
According to ERB’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, registered engineers must “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public” and maintain the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and due diligence.
The ERB emphasized that Mubiru repeatedly violated these principles by neglecting safety standards, making assumptions in critical structural designs, and failing to notify authorities when his professional credentials were allegedly forged.
The Board has reiterated its commitment to maintaining professional standards in the industry, especially in light of Uganda’s growing urban infrastructure and the rising public concern over frequent building failures.
“Engineers must act as faithful agents of their clients, avoid conflicts of interest, and always place public safety at the forefront of their practice,” the Registrar noted.
Mubiru’s suspension serves as a stark warning to practicing engineers about the consequences of cutting corners in an industry where public safety is non-negotiable.
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