MPs take Development House

The move by Parliament is meant to cater for the space issues that have seen many MPs share offices.

Parliament has finally taken over Development House as a tradeoff for one of the parliamentary wings housing the President’s office.

Speaking at Parliament’s end of year staff party last week, the Speaker, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, announced that everything had been concluded and that Parliament would occupy the premises this week. “We have been constrained by space issues but am sure MPs will have more space for their offices,” Ms Kadaga said.

Development House has four floors with 83 offices, currently housing the Ministry of Education and some sections of the Office of the President, such as the Ministry of Economic Monitoring and NRM offices. The House currently rents office space for 150 MPs at the privately-owned Baumann House. But this is still not enough room, since several of the MPs share offices at Parliament Building. Government last year issued an official communication through the Office of the Prime Minister, explaining new accommodation arrangements.

A June 28, 2012 letter signed by the Prime Minister, Mr Amama Mbabazi, to Parliament, indicated that President Museveni’s staff would not shift from the parliamentary premises they presently occupy as had earlier been requested by Parliament.
This followed the fact that the Chinese government had built two tall towers as a donation to the Office of the President. The President had earlier reportedly told MPs that his staff would not use a donated building.

All government agencies evicted from Development House will move to Postal Building, where the Office of the Prime Minster has been, while others will use whatever space is available at Embassy House. Ms Kadaga also said the Parliament’s Sergeant at Arms office had been turned into a day-care where breast feeding MPs will be temporarily leaving their children.

akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com