Batul Sabunwala An Indian National Together With Her Husband Have Been Arrested And Charged In Nakawa Court For Practicing Architecture Without Valid License and Illegal Construction
Batul Sabunwala, of Mystique Design studio, an Indian notoriously known in Kampala for illegal Architectural practice and undertaking construction works from unsuspecting Ugandans while putting the lives of many at risk has been arrested and charged at Nakawa magistrates court .
Batul Sabunwala together with her husband Hakimudoin Sabunwala were arraigned before the Senior Principal Magistrate ,Sabula Nambwozo and charged with the offences of conducting building operations without a building permit contrary to section 33 (1) and (2) of the Building Control Act Cap 126 and deviations from approved plan, drawing -contrary to Regulation 42 (1) (b) of the Building Control Regulations of 2020.
Batul Tinwala Sabunwala charged for practicing Architeture without a valid license
The two accused appeared in court while hiding under an umbella even when it was not raining and wore masks to hide their faces .
State Attorney , Mahatima Odongo who led the prosecution told court that Batul Sabunwala aged 36 and Hakimudoin Sabunwala aged 43 years , residents of Bukasa Muyenga Makindye Division in Kampala District , between 2024 and 2025 at Naguru Nakawa Division without a valid building permit , intentionally constructed a storeyed house at plot 63 Katalima road Naguru.
Batul Tinwala Sabunwala charged for practicing Architeture without a valid license
Prosecutor Odongo further told court that the two accused persons between the same period undertook construction works under their company Mystique Developers Limited , willfully and unlawfully deviated from the approved building plan without approval of the Building Committee as provided for in the law.
Although ,both the accused denied the charges while taking plea before the magistrate , Batul Sabungwala was denied a licence and rejected by the Architect Registration Board and Uganda Society of Architects due to technical incompetence, along with her husband Mr. Hakim Sabunwala.
In a New Vision newspaper public notice , dated October 1, 2026, the Architects Registration Board (ARB) stated that Batul Tinwala Sabunwala was holding herself out as a ‘registered’ Architect and yet she was not licenced and authorized to practice architecture in Uganda.
The ARB furthure stated that pursuant to the provisions of the Architects Registration Act , only persons duly registered and licenced by the Architects Registration Board are authorized to practice architecture or offer architecture services in Uganda .
Hakimudoin Sabunwala charged for illegal construction
“Members of the public are advised to verify the registration status of persons claiming to be architects with the architects Registration Board before engaging them for Architectural work,” ARB stated in the public notice.
The arrest and subsequent charges brought against Batul Tinwala Sabunwala show the dangers posed by such illegal Architects and fake contractors which is a big risk for buildings safety and if not taken seriously, Kampala would end up with more buildings collapsing , killing and injuring people.
Sources said Batul Sabunwala – a dependent foreign national has been taking money from unsuspecting general public claiming to be a licensed architecture and illegally giving construction jobs to her husband – a family member which is also illegal according to the Architecture law that bars architects from hiring their next of kin.
The ARB has since warned the general public to be on the lookout for such illegal, unlicensed architects and fake contractors and report them to the relevant authorities to save lives.
