Like any other professionals such as the engineers, the architects and surveyors who are regulated by specified legal frameworks, the physical planners are not regulated in their professional work. This partly explains why some developments do not comply with the National Physical Planning Standards and Guidelines 2011 and other legal frameworks aimed to achieve sustainable development in Uganda. In a bid to regulate the physical planners, the Physical Planner’s Registration Bill, was tabled in parliament of Uganda and assented into law by the President, His Exc. Y. K. Museveni on 13th October 2022.
The Physical Planner’s Registration Act,2022 provides a legal framework to regulate the practice and activities of physical planners. More so, it intends to weed out “quack” physical planners and organize urban development in the country.
With the enactment of the Physical Planner’s Registration Act 2022, there is a wide spectrum of expectations to be achieved such as conserving environmentally sensitive areas, preserving public areas for instance open spaces, road reserves and providing an organized urban and rural development countrywide.
However, the physical planning fraternity has welcomed the Physical Planner’s Registration Act 2022. Mr. Moses, a physical planner in private practice provides that they have been longing for this law. This is because quack physical planners have been infiltrating the profession. In the long run they would approve sub-standard developments hence discrediting the professional physical planners. He further provided that this is the right time to address the existing gaps in the profession and ensure that the country appreciates sustainable development from technically qualified physical planners.
The pertinent issues provided in the Physical Planners’ Registration Act,2022 include:
Establishment of the Society of Professional Physical Planners of Uganda. Like any other professional body such as the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda, Uganda Society of Architects, the Society of Professional Physical Planners of Uganda will be formed. This will be mandated to promote and protect the interests of the physical planners and maintain high standards of professional ethics amongst members of the physical planning profession.
Establishment of the Physical Planners Registration Board. In order to identify professional physical planners from quack ones, the law provides for the formation of the Physical Planners Registration Board.This will be mandated to register all physical planners countrywide and exercise disciplinary control over physical planners and planning assistants.
Conditions and qualifications for registration. The act provides the conditions and qualifications for one to be registered as a physical planner. It provides that an individual must hold a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree in urban and regional planning, spatial planning, physical planning or other qualifications from recognized institution acknowledged by the Board. Additionally for one to be registered as a physical planner, he/she shall present a certificate of recognition as a graduate physical planner issued by the Society.
When an individual fulfills all the required qualifications, he/she can then be issued a practicing certificate valid for a year.
Establishment of a disciplinary committee. The disciplinary committee will emphasize and ensure ethical conduct of physical planners. Any misconducts of physical planners shall be handled by this committee and an appropriate decision undertaken depending on the gravity of the matter.
Complaints. The law provides room for the general public to lodge complaints to the disciplinary committee against physical planners for professional misconduct. Regarding the gravity of the matter, the disciplinary committee will take the necessary measures which include;
- Caution the physical planner.
- suspension of the physical planner from practice for a specified period not exceeding two years.
- strike off the name of the physical planner off the register.
- payment of a fine by the physical planner not exceeding 2M.
Professional Code of Ethics. The law provides for a professional code of conduct which emphasizes that a physical planner will always be honest and impartial in his activities. Additionally, any professional misconduct will be handled by the Disciplinary Committee.
Inspection of offices. To ensure professional works amongst the physical planners, the law emphasizes that the board will inspect the offices of physical planners to ensure that the physical planners are doing their work very well.
Offences identified by the law. The law provides that an individual who impersonates himself to be a physical planner or provides false or incorrect and misleading information is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ugx. 480,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both.
In conclusion, the law intends to organize the physical planning profession and ensure that an orderly and coordinated development is achieved in Uganda.