New MPs' offices cost sh13b
Feb 11, 2015
Parliament has so far spent sh13.2b for the construction of the sixth floor on the parliamentary building and renovation of Development House to create more office space for MP
By Cyprian Musoke & Paul Kiwuuwa
Parliament has so far spent sh13.2b for the construction of the sixth floor on the parliamentary building and renovation of Development House to create more office space for MPs.
In an interview with the clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige, Wednesday at Parliament, she said; "The Parliament commission last year budgeted for sh11.1b for the sixth of floor while sh 2.1b was for renovating Development House.”
Development House is a government owned building formerly occupied by the ministry of education and sports.
Government allocated it to Parliament to save sh2.5b they used to pay private owners of Bauman House annually.
The allocation is said to have been a trade off when the President’s office refused to vacate one wing of the Parliamentary buildings.
Engineer Caleb Tugumisirize (right) of Ssentogo and Partners showing MPs on Legal and Parliamentary Affiars committee on the progress of construction works on the 6th last additional floor on the Parliamentary Building last year PHOTO/ PAUL KIWUWA
The Ministry of Education last March gave way for Parliament to renovate development house which had housed the ministry for over ten years.
Kibirige told New Vision that lawmakers will be re-locating from Bauman House, where they have been renting offices for MPs at sh2.5b annually, to a rent-free Development house.
"Parliament notified the (Bauman House) land lord that they would stop their tenancy contract by end 31st May 2015.
"Any time from now, probably next month plans are under way for MPs to shift to Development House for bigger office space. Shifting, she added, will be gradual.
"Parliament has a total of 386 MPS, with over 100 MPs lacking office accommodation. Some of the MPs occupy Parliamentary building while others have been occupying Bauman house."
According to Kibirige, Seyani and brothers firm constructed the sixth floor on the East, South, Northern and West blocks of Parliament have completed the major works and handed them over to parliament. What remains is furnishing.
BABCON Uganda Limited is the construction firm that renovated Development House.
She explained under the new arrangement, the speaker’s office will be relocated to the 6th floor of the northern block of Parliament.
The four parliament commissioners and their staff, will also shift to the new sixth floor.
The Deputy Speaker’s office will be relocated to the 5th floor on the eastern flank of Parliament, she added.
"All committee chairpersons and their deputies will occupy new offices on 5th and 6th floor.” She was however non-committal on the cost of furniture for the new offices.
"We haven't secured funds for furniture, but they will use their old furniture, pending getting funds." Kibirige said.
She explained; "A notice has been sent to all MPs formerly occupying Bauman House to be ready to shift."
Parliament Sargent At arms who is also the estates manager Ahmed Kagoye said that a total of 114 new offices have been created at with a total of 2, 189 square meters created on the 6th and 5th floor of Parliament.
"The offices on the south block were retained by the Office of the President which is a fountain of honour and MPs cannot share offices above it. That is why we were given development House," Kagoye explained.
Parliament spokesperson Hellen Kawesa said; "Securing bigger office space will help MPs do their work promptly, because many had no offices."
Commissioner Reagan Okumu said: “We are ready to shift by the end of this month because many MPs lack office space with about four MPs sharing the same offices.