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The SERENE Project stands for Scientific Evidence for Risk Engineering Norms and Education.
It’s a strategic, public-private partnership between the National Building Review Board (NBRB) and the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, a globally recognized authority on seismic hazard and risk modeling.
This multi-year program brings together world-class seismic risk models, technical mentorship, and national policy frameworks to strengthen Uganda’s ability to withstand earthquake-related disasters.
This initiative is all about protecting lives, homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure across Uganda by applying world-class science and data to strengthen how we plan, build, and regulate our cities.
While natural hazards cannot be prevented, many building-related disasters - particularly fires and structural failures - are avoidable through improved design, compliance, and enforcement. SERENE integrates both natural and human-induced risks to support a safer and more resilient built environment.
SERENE is not only a seismic risk initiative - it is a national platform for understanding and reducing risks in the built environment, including those arising from fires, building failures, and unsafe construction practices.
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Goals of the Project
The SERENE Project addresses seismic risk at every level, from scientific modelling to on-the-ground training. Its key goals include:
Developing Uganda’s first national seismic hazard map
Creating exposure models to assess vulnerable building stock
Updating Uganda’s seismic code (US319:2003), seismic design updates, and disaster planning.
Training engineers, inspectors, and policymakers
Supporting disaster-preparedness and early warning strategies
Enhancing regulations for future construction and retrofitting
All of this aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan (NDP IV), National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy, Uganda Seismic Code modernization process and the Sustainable Development Goals
Collaborators
This partnership is formalized under a 3-year agreement (2025–2028), making Uganda the first African country to be granted full participation in GEM’s strategic governance without financial contribution.
Uganda holds a Governor-level seat on GEM’s board, joining an elite global group shaping earthquake safety policy.
NBRB
A statutory body established under the Building Control Act, is mandated to promote and ensure planned, decent and safe building structures that are developed in harmony with the environment in Uganda.
GEM Foundation
Provides open-source software, seismic hazard models, technical mentorship, and access to global risk modelling platforms like OpenQuake.
Location
Uganda