Govt revives plan to move its offices from Kampala
Mr Fu Yu of Rui Zhou Construction Company (left), Ms Evelyn Anite, the State minister for Privatisation and Investment, and Mr Paul Zhang of Tian Tang Group after a meeting at the weekend. The two investors will construct modern facilities that will house government offices. PHOTO | TONNY ABET
What you need to know:
- The new infrastructure forms part of a plan to create an “alternative capital city” in Entebbe
The government has allocated 150 acres of land in Entebbe to Chinese investors for the construction of modern facilities as part of a broader strategy to ease congestion in Kampala by relocating public offices.
Ms Evelyn Anite, the State minister for Privatisation and Investment, stated that this forms part of the plan to create an "alternative capital city" in Entebbe.
"Unless you are in a government-constructed facility, that office will have to move to Entebbe," she said after meeting Chinese investors in Kampala at the weekend.
"All government ministries, departments, and agencies currently renting private premises will be relocated to the government campus, which is under construction,’’ she added.
The two Chinese investors involved are Mr Paul Zhang of Tian Tang Group, responsible for the Mbale Industrial Park, and Mr Fu Yu of Rui Zhou Construction Company.
"Some time ago, Mr Paul Zhang approached me with a proposal to build an international conference centre along with other amenities such as hospitals, international schools, and modern housing in Entebbe," Ms Anite said.
"I introduced him to the President, who allocated him strategic land in Kitugulu, Entebbe. His vision is to modernise the city."
She further noted that these facilities would attract middle-income citizens to relocate to the area.
"We, along with the President, saw this as a strategic move, primarily to decongest Kampala. Additionally, its proximity to the airport makes it convenient for international visitors and expatriates requiring high-quality amenities and international schools," Ms Anite said.
"The government campus will also be in Entebbe, and the Kitugulu project aligns with the vision of developing the area into an alternative capital city," she added.
Background
This follows a 2018 government announcement that all ministries and agencies renting private premises would eventually be housed in the Bwebajja Airport Hotel complex on Entebbe Road once the necessary arrangements were finalised.
Mr Paul Zhang, speaking on Saturday, stated that construction of the conference centre, five-star hotel, and international school would commence next month, subject to environmental approval.
"We want to build a modern city in Entebbe, including a major conference centre and an international school. We have already acquired 156 acres of land. Most investors focus on Kampala, but Ms Anite encouraged me to establish an industrial park elsewhere, which is why I built one in Mbale. The people of Mbale also need jobs and development. By working together, we can transform more cities," he said.
Commenting on the land allocation, Ms Anite said: "This is an incentive we offer to investors to encourage job creation, broaden the tax base, and drive economic growth."
FUNDING
Mr Paul Zhang, an investor from the Tian Tang Group, said they would invest up to $500 million (about Shs1.8 trillion) in this initiative of building a ‘‘modern city’’ in Entebbe. “While Kampala offers assured profits, Entebbe is an old city that needs modernisation. It houses the State House and the UN East Africa headquarters,” Mr Zhang added.
