On 12th September 2025, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development marked a significant milestone with the swearing-in of the 20th Surveyors Registration Board (SRB) and the 14th Architects Registration Board (ARB). The ceremony, held at the USMID Boardroom on the 11th floor of the Crested Towers Building, was presided over by the Permanent Secretary, Dorcas W. Okalany, who represented the Honorable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. The event was attended by board members, heads of departments, and other distinguished guests, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Uganda’s surveying and architecture professions.
In her address, PS Dorcas W. Okalany welcomed the newly appointed board members, congratulating them on their achievement. She emphasized that their role is not just professional but also a call to serve the people of Uganda by guiding the surveying and architecture professions with diligence and integrity. The Surveyors Board covers several disciplines including land surveying, valuation, quantity surveying, and hydrological surveying, while the Architects Board focuses exclusively on architecture.
Dr. Ronald Ssengendo, the new Chairperson of the Surveyors Registration Board, brings over 20 years of experience in land administration, geodesy, and geoinformatics. A Senior Lecturer at Makerere University, Dr. Ssengendo is a Registered Land Surveyor of Uganda and a Fellow of the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda, as well as a member of several international professional bodies. He is joined by Ms. Elizabeth Natukunda Mwebesa as Vice Chairperson, a renowned quantity surveyor with over 17 years of experience across East Africa and former board leader at Turner & Townsend.
The board also includes Mr. Gilbert Kermundu, Chief Government Valuer and a leading authority in public sector governance and property valuation, along with Ms. Dorothy Natukunda, a Chartered Surveyor with extensive experience in both government and private sectors. Other board members include Mr. Kakaire Ali, Ms. Tumuheirwe Evas Bwoye, Mr. Duncan Tayebwa, Ms. Dorah Atia Ongaria, and Mr. Samuel Eric Bayo—all bringing a wealth of expertise in land management, GIS, quantity surveying, project management, and valuation.
PS Dorcas W. Okalany highlighted that the Ministry has initiated several programs aimed at enhancing professional standards and restoring confidence in the land sector. She expressed confidence that the newly sworn-in boards would provide crucial technical guidance and leadership to ensure these initiatives succeed. The appointees were praised for their experience and expertise, which distinguish them and underscore the responsibility they now hold in guiding their professions.
In closing, PS Okalany reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the new boards. She wished the members success in their roles, urging them to serve with dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to the betterment of Uganda.
With this dynamic new leadership, Uganda’s surveying and architecture sectors are poised for growth, innovation, and strengthened professionalism, promising a brighter future for land administration and urban development across the country.
