UMI to set up shs 18bn modern structure.

May 28, 2012

The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) is erecting a sh18bn structure to cater for the ever growing numbers of people who need the institutions' services.


By Brenda Asiimwe

The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) is erecting a sh18bn structure to cater for the ever growing numbers of people who need the institutions' services.

The five-storied building will comprise of a modern ICT lab, lecture rooms, conference centre, administration offices and staff room.

The construction which is already under way with the foundation already laid has seen a big chunk of the institutions compound hoarded off to pave way for the construction.

The director general James Nkata told the New Vision in an interview recently that the facilities they have cannot cater for the increasing number scholars they get.

"The current classroom blocks were designed to suit the few students the institution had in its initial stages. The student population has however increased by 120% in the last 20 years," Nkata said.

The construction, which was contracted to China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation, will be ready for use in two years.

Nkata noted that the structure is part of the institution's larger 30-year master plan to make it a world class management institute.

Benon Basheka the UMI head of higher degrees said all the institution's programmes are highly demanded but they cannot meet the demand because of inadequate facilities.

"At first we only used to have day programmes but with the influx of more students we had to introduce an evening programme and lately a weekend programme but this has not solved the problem of large numbers of learners," Basheka said.

He said they opened up branches in Mbarara, Gulu and Mbale but the demand is still overwhelming. "With the new structure we hope to accommodate more numbers of students and continue delivering quality services," Basheka added.

The project is being funded by UMI with support from other stakeholders like the ministry of education. Nkata said government has contributed sh2bn towards the construction but they would carry out a series of other activities to raise funds both nationally and internationally to finance the project.

He noted that the building will be stocked with modern equipment to deliver services swiftly. UMI is a government owned national center for training, research and consultancy in the field of management and administration.

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