Arab Contractors mark 20 years in Uganda

By Owen Wagabaza

There is no corner of this country where the name Arab Contractors does not ring a bell. The construction company, which has a global footprint, has executed several projects in Uganda over the last 20 years.

Arab Contractors is an Egyptian construction and contracting company established in 1955 by Eng. Osman Ahmed Osman, an Egyptian entrepreneur and politician who also served as Egypt's housing minister under the Anwar Sadat's presidency.

Mahmoud Diaa Eldeen, the technical manager of Arab Contractors Uganda Ltd, says Osman foresaw the capabilities of the Egyptian workforce by founding Arab Contractors and consequently Egyptian contractors have been able to undertake many construction projects, including bridges in many parts of the world.

Trucks that are part of Arab Contactors fleet. The firm ensures that its vehicles are in sound mechanical condition

 

"He wanted to break the monopoly of foreign contractors in this technically challenging engineering specialty and I can say his dream came to fruition as currently Egyptian contractors are dominating the construction industry in Egypt, Middle East and Africa," he says.

Diaa Eldeen adds that their construction projects in Egypt, Middle East and Africa show the Egyptian workforce's capabilities and as a result, Osman's name has become a trademark for high quality, commitment and timely completion of construction works. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY 

Arab Contractors can handle any construction project, says MD

Arab Contractors Uganda Ltd, one of the leading construction companies in the country, is celebrating 20 years of working in Uganda. New Vision's Owen Wagabaza talked to Mohammed Tolba, the managing director of Arab Contractors, about the company's 20-year service in Uganda among other issues

Briefly tell us about Arab Contractors

Arab Contractors is one of the leading construction companies in the world ranked 122 out of the top 250 contractors worldwide. The company employs over 77,000 people in operations in 29 countries.

We have a wide and diversified experience that covers spectrum of the construction industry and its ancillary services including public buildings, bridges, roads, tunnels, airports, housing, water and sewage projects as well as wastewater treatment plants.

We also construct power stations, dams, hospitals, sports buildings, restoration of monuments and irrigation systems. We produce ready-mix concrete, do shipbuilding, electromechanical projects, engineering consultancy, manufacturing and assembly of steel structures among others.

New Mulago Maternal and Neonatal Hospital that was launched in September was constructed by Arab Contractors

 

What prompted you to come to Uganda?

Arab Contractors came to Uganda in 1998 after realising the peace, stability and development that was prevailing in the country. Peace and stability are essential when it comes to investment and development.

Having noticed that the country was now peaceful and stable, we saw it right to come in and participate in the economic development of Uganda. Besides, Egypt and Uganda have a relationship that has lasted decades and one of the ways to make it even stronger was to participate in the development of the country.

The market also looked virgin, the competition was not as big as it is now. All these encouraged us to come in and invest here. We have gone on to participate in the economic development of the country.

We are offering employment to thousands of Ugandans. With our world class equipment and expertise, our role in infrastructure development cannot be underestimated. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY 

OTHER STORIES (PICTORIAL) 

Projects handled by Arab Contractors over the years

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