Architects

Who Is An Architect?

According to section 32 of the Architects Registration Act, Cap 269 (ARA), every person whose name has been entered in the register shall so as his or her name remains in the register shall be entitled to adopt and use the style and title “architect” and to offer his or her services to the public for gain or reward or by way of trade as a professionally qualified architect.

The use of the title 'architect' is protected by law and only persons registered with the Ugandan Architects Registration Board may use the title Architect. To check a person's registration status, the Register of architects can be inspected at the Board Secretariat.

Getting Registered

According the S. 10 and S.12 of the Architects Registration Act Cap 269, one is eligible for registration upon the fulfillment of these requirements below;

1. He or she must be a corporate member of the society or a corporate architect by whatever name called recognized for the time being by the board as furnishing sufficient guarantee of academic knowledge of any practical experience in architecture;
2. He or she is a holder of a degree or diploma awarded by a university or other institution recognized for the time being by the board, and has had not less than two years’ practical experience and has passed the professional examination conducted by the board
3. He or she has satisfied the board that he or she possesses qualifications which furnish a sufficient guarantee of the possession of the requisite knowledge and skill for the efficient practice as an architect practice as an architect.

FOR UGANDANS AND ALL MEMBERS OF COUNTRIES PARTY TO THE E.A MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENT (UGANDA, KENYA, RWANDA, BURUNDI)

In line with the above requirements, please furnish the Board with these during registration

1. Recommendation from your country’s board (Certificate of good conduct) signed and stamped.
2. Copy of Current year’s certified practicing certificate from your country’s board
3. Copy of certified Registration certificate from your country’s board
4. Copies of certified academic qualification documents
5. Copy of valid passport or National ID
6. Color passport size photo
7. Filled out Registration Application Form (In duplicate) with all the required signatures and stamps as indicated on the form.
8. Payment of registration fees amounting to the equivalent of two hundred thousand Uganda shillings (200,000/=) only and application form fee of ten thousand Uganda shillings (10,000/=) only.
9. Copy of proof of payment of corporate membership at the Uganda Society of Architects.
10. Copy of current C.V.

The Register keeps the entire record of all registered architects-living and deceased- who have ever been registered by ARB and it is kept and maintained by the registrar at the Board’s secretariat.

FOREIGNERS (TEMPORARY REGISTRATION)

1. Recommendation from your country’s board (Certificate of good conduct) signed and stamped.
2. Copy of Current year’s certified practicing certificate from your country’s board
3. Copy of certified Registration certificate from your country’s board
4. Copies of certified academic qualification documents
5. Copy of valid passport or National ID
6. Color passport size photo
7. Filled out Registration Application Form (In duplicate) with all the required signatures and stamps as indicated on the form.
8. Payment for the Application for Temporary registration amounting to UGX 1,000,000, Registration Fee(upon approval of the application by the Board) the equivalent of USD 5,000 only. 
   Upon getting registered and obtaining a registration certificate, the architect shall be required to apply for a Temporary Practicing Certificate at a fee of UGX 300,000 only and Annual subscription fee for that year.
9. Copy of proof of payment of corporate membership at the Uganda Society of Architects.
10. Work permit
11. Joint-Venture/Collaboration agreement with the name of the local registered architect with whom you are associated
12. Copy of the project(s) or work in Uganda detailing the nature of work and its duration
13. Copy of current C.V.

N.B Please note that upon approval of your application by the board, you are required to pay for the practicing certificate for that year as well.

Staying On The Register

To stay on the register, a registered architect is required to pay the annual subscription (UGX 300,000).

Deregistration

According to Section 13 of the Architects Registration Act, a registered architect may be struck off the register(deregistered) where he/she:

1. fails to notify the registrar of his or her current address within a period of six months beginning with the date on which he or she receives an inquiry sent by the registrar, by registered letter, to the address appearing in the register against his or her name;
2. requests that his or her name be deleted from the register, in which case that person may be required to satisfy the board by affidavit lodged with the registrar that no criminal proceedings or proceedings under section 17 are being taken or likely to be taken against him or her; or
3. is found guilty of any offense or disgraceful conduct pertaining to his or her profession, the board may direct that his or her name be struck off the register and his or her practicing certificate be withdrawn.
4. does not pay the annual subscription fee by that architect for a period exceeding four months from the time it is due.

Except as in the circumstances provided under subsection (2)(a) and in the case of a deceased person, any person whose name is struck off the register shall be notified by the registrar by registered letter.

The Practicing Certificate

The registrar shall issue a practicing certificate to every architect whose name is on the register and who applies for it on the prescribed form and pays the prescribed fee.

A practicing certificate shall remain valid until the thirty-first day of December next after its issue and shall be renewable annually on application being made on the prescribed form and payment of the prescribed fee. So it is valid between its date of issue till 31st December of the year of issue.

Subject to the Architects Registration Act, no person shall engage in or carry on the practice of architecture, by whatever name called, unless he or she is the holder of a valid practicing certificate granted to him by the Board.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

In the 116th meeting of the 10th Board, it was resolved that all registered and practicing architects must have Professional Indemnity Insurance. This is in alignment to the Mutual Recognition Agreement for the profession of Architecture under the Common Market that Uganda is party to.

What If You Decide Not To Practice Temporarily?

Architects who have been on the ARB Register of Architects at any time may choose to change their status to non-practicing. This category will include architects who may have retired from practice or those who are not practicing architecture nor will be for the foreseeable future. Individuals who have removed their name from the Register may apply to be restored in this category.

Changing/Updating Your Practicing Details

Any architect who would like to change their practicing details should write to the ARB Registrar and clearly state their new practicing details

Return Forms

1. An architect shall be required to submit return forms within a period of not more than two weeks from the date of submitting drawings to the approving/local authority.
2. Upon submission of the return forms and upon approval of the architect’s work by the approving/local authority, the supervising architect shall be entitled to a sticker that will be displayed on the sign board for purposes of legality as regards both the construction site and work.
3. The sticker plate shall contain the following: -
   • The Logo and name of the Board
   • QR code,
   • Security feature,
   • Reference number.
4. The architect shall be required to pay a fee for the sticker as specified in the schedule below:

PROJECT LICENCE PLATE

Upon submission of the return forms and upon approval of the architect's work by the approving/local authority, the supervising architect shall be entitled to a sticker that will be displayed on the sign board for purposes of legality as regards both the construction site and work.

OFFICE INSPECTION

The board from from time to time conducts inspections of architects' work offices to verify compliance with accepted minimum professional standards. You can view the checklist and general guiding points for Office Inspection in the Downloads section of our website.

Practice Notes

ARB Fees