THE THIRD MASONS/BUILDERS, TECHNICIANS AND ARTISANS (FUNDIS) TRAINING WORKSHOP & EXHIBITION FOR MANUFACTURERS OF BUILDING MATERIALS AT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING DESIGN ART AND TECHNOLOGY (CEDAT), MAKERERE UNIVERSITY, 24^TH –  25^TH OCTOBER 2024

In partnership with the various stakeholders, the Department of Architecture & Physical Planning at the College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT) is organising a two -day training workshop for the masons/builders, technician and artisans (also known as Fundis) from the greater Kampala region (Kampala city, Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono) at Makerere University.

The primary objective of this community outreach initiative and training is to make a contribution towards national development through sharing the accumulated scientific knowledge at CEDAT with the technicians and artisans as well as enhance their skills in modern building design and construction technologies.

Specifically, the training workshop aims to achieve the following objectives:

• To assess and understand the levels at which the local masons/builders and other artisans are operating in terms of skills, knowledge and innovation in building construction
• To enable the masons/builders and other artisans to learn and relearn new, relevant and innovative methods, techniques and skills while unlearning irrelevant methods and practices.
• To improve the Fundis’ understanding of professional building codes and regulations and how they can operate within current construction legal framework and regime.
• To reduce the existing gap between the training institutions, local communities and the business sector in Uganda
• To produce a critical mass of change agents and leaders in building construction and design based on the local conditions and realities.

Uganda is faced with a dual problem of shortage of decent housing especially in the major cities and rural areas as well as inadequate skilled man power. In any parts of the country including major cities such as Kampala there are very few qualified and competent engineers, architects and skilled technicians to foster the construction industry and fix the housing problem.

For many years, the local masons/builders and artisans have been filling the existing skills gap in the construction industry. Many of these Fundis have never received any formal training. Most people in Uganda grew up in houses that were built by the Fundis.

Fundis also learn from fellow Fundis. The danger however, is that wrong things can be learnt and treated as gospel truth, leading to the collapse of buildings and loss of precious life.

Fundis are self- employed people and only earn an income each day they work. Rarely do Fundis follow the existing construction standards. Most Fundis are not even aware of these standards. Besides, there is a huge gap between the training institutions and the local communities including the Fundis.

The event will provide a common platform for various stakeholders such as the regulatory bodies, engineering lecturers, engineering students, building material manufacturers (the business community), Fundis, and city authorities to share knowledge and ideas on modern housing design and construction technologies for national transformation and community development.

Over 400 masons/builders, plumbers, electricians, metal fabricators and painters from the greater Kampala region have been invited to participate in this skills and knowledge enhancement training workshop at CEDAT.

Besides, the third training workshop for masons/builders, technicians and artisans (Fundis) from the greater Kampala region, has been scheduled on 24^th – 25th October 2024, starting at 9.00am in the morning at CEDAT Conference Hall, Makerere University.  There will  also be an exhibition for local manufacturers and sellers of building materials.

For those interested to participate, plse contact the Head of Architecture and Physical Planning Department via Email address: tamaleamin@gmail.com Or CEDAT Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ms Musinguzi Harriet (Email address: harrmusinguzi@gmail.com)