Welders to obtain internationally recognised licenses under new initiative

Uganda's construction industry is on the cusp of a major transformation, thanks to a new construction welding standard that will define specific profiles for welders, aligning with global best practices.

According to Mr Ronald Ssezibwa, President of the Welders Society Uganda (WESU), this initiative will not only help local welders expand their reach internationally but also empower them to uphold the highest quality standards.

"Our current operational standards are insufficient. For example, if I am building a structure like a warehouse, under what specifications and standards am I working? This is why we are engaging with vocational training centres to bridge this gap. We need a welder’s occupational standard profile that aligns with international standards," Ssezibwa explained during a welders' training workshop in Namanve on Thursday.

The new standard is a response to the growing concern over the quality of high-rise buildings in Uganda, which have been prone to collapse due to poor workmanship, substandard building materials, and shortcuts during construction.

Mr Ssezibwa emphasised the importance of industry-wide awareness and the use of high-quality materials to prevent future building collapses.

"We have good materials, but we also face the challenge of substandard ones," Ssezibwa said. "Manufacturers can provide whatever is available on the market, but are these materials sustainable?"

The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is also playing a crucial role in enforcing engineering and construction standards, which include a wide range of quality requirements for products like building materials, steel, cement, machinery, and plastic pipes.

George William Owinja, Sales Manager at Steel and Tube, highlighted the need for education and awareness among welders. "We have educated welders on specifications such as length and thickness, especially for hollow sections," Owinja said. "There is often compromise on these aspects, and we've called on organizations like UNBS to tackle the issue of substandard products in the market."

With these efforts, Uganda's construction industry is poised for significant improvement in both quality and safety. As Ssezibwa noted, "This initiative is a significant step towards strengthening Uganda's infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth."