By BM
The Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, has praised the National Housing and Construction Company (NHCC) and the Electoral Commission (EC) for their cooperation and urgency in delivering the Commission’s new permanent premises within a short time frame.
Speaking during the official commissioning ceremony of the new EC headquarters, Gen. Katumba Wamala thanked the leadership and staff of the Electoral Commission, NHCC, the project board, security officers, members of the Directorate of Communications, the media, and other stakeholders for their support throughout the process.
The Minister noted that the journey leading to the completion of the first phase of the Electoral Commission headquarters had been fast-paced but successful.
He commended the NHCC for executing the construction efficiently, despite the pressure to fast-track the project.
He acknowledged that while NHCC was heavily tasked, it had risen to the challenge and delivered results.
Gen. Katumba explained that the relocation of the Electoral Commission from their former home near Kitgum House along Jinja road was necessitated by upcoming works on a major flyover project that would pass directly over the old site.
He recalled that after the EC was displaced, they temporarily moved to 7th Street, which unfortunately experienced frequent flooding, further compounding the challenges.
He noted that the idea of constructing a new permanent home for the Commission had existed earlier, but the urgency of the situation made it clear that quick action was needed.
In response, NHCC stepped in with a commitment to deliver the project swiftly a promise which they kept.
Gen. Katumba further commented on the temporary relocation to Kyambogo, acknowledging that the location posed logistical challenges, particularly in terms of accessibility.
However, he pointed out that such challenges often come hand-in-hand with new opportunities for development and innovation.
He added that Nambole Stadium, once considered as an alternative site, had been ruled out due to ongoing preparations for continental activities under the Africa Cup of Nations, rendering it unavailable for use.
The Minister stressed that the new headquarters marked only the first phase of a larger project to fully house the Electoral Commission in a modern, permanent facility.
He urged the public and stakeholders not to consider the current progress as the final product, and commended NHCC for completing the initial work in just a few months, a feat he said proved the company’s capacity and reliability.
He also recognized the significant effort it took to transform what had previously been a bush into a fully functional, hospitable office environment.
He added that, moving forward, he was confident that NHCC could be trusted with even more ambitious challenges.
Gen. Katumba observed that the new location offered a much-improved environment compared to the Commission’s previous location in Kyambogo.
He expressed optimism that the improved facilities would enhance the management of the electoral process.
Looking ahead, he appealed to the Uganda Police, especially the traffic management team, to begin developing a comprehensive traffic plan to ensure smooth access to the new premises.
He highlighted the multiple entry and exit points around the location, saying these could be leveraged to reduce congestion and prevent inconvenience to other road users.
He concluded by saying that the site would now serve as the main entrance to the Electoral Commission’s operations, including key activities such as self-nomination, campaign coordination, and ensuring successful elections. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
