VP tours CHOGM facilities

Nov 30, 2006

Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya yesterday led a team of experts and senior government officials to inspect hotels and facilities that will be used for the commonwealth Heads of government meeting (CHOGM).

By John Odyek

Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya yesterday led a team of experts and senior government officials to inspect hotels and facilities that will be used for the commonwealth Heads of government meeting (CHOGM).

“State House Entebbe is extremely well done. This is the beauty of Chinese doing such a good structure cheaply. Before people doubted the Chinese. We should attract more Chinese other than European companies to do such work for us,” Bukenya said at the site.

There was brisk activity at the complex.

Bukenya also visited Serena Hotel that will host the opening meeting of CHOGM next year.

Architect Kenneth Ssemwogerere, the project manager of Ssentoongo and Partners, said the US$30m (about sh54b) first phase of State House would be completed by June 30, 2007.

The first phase includes the giant two-floor ceremonial building, a gazebo (outside meeting room), presidential dais, parade ground, new road works and a communications block.

The ceremonial building has the Cabinet room, the banquet hall, conference hall, credentials room, bedrooms and laundry, ready for use.

“This is fascinating. I am impressed. The work ethic is good. When finished Uganda will enter a state of transformation in terms of stately matters,” Bukenya said.

State House comptroller Richard Muhinda said only the first phase would be completed for CHOGM due to resource constraints.

“The first phase will be enough for use by the President. The second phase will be carried on in future,” he said.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});