Uganda Independent Electoral Commission continuing on its journey to own a permanent home

KAMPALA - According to Eng. Kenneth Kaijuka CEO, National Housing and Construction Company Uganda Ltd(NHCC), the Electoral Commission will have to cough approximately over 300Million UGX as rent for their temporary home situated at Plot 1-3/5, 7th Street industrial area. He revealed this as NHCC officially handed their former headquarters to EC during the unveiling ceremony held on Thursday 30th March 2023. The facility covers 4700sqm sitting space, 198 parking lots among others. Eng. Kaijuka used to opportunity to appeal to government to utilize NHCC Ltd especially in construction projects within the country.

Meanwhile, Hon. Wanjusi Wasieba, Chairman of the Board of Directors NHCC Ltd revealed that besides the EC's permanent home that will be housed in Lubowa after construction, they will make sure that Regional EC offices are also constructed with a similar architectural design so that work can be decentralized in different parts of the country. He added also next to the EC Headquarters in Lubowa, they are set to construct the National Building Research Bureau that will be housed in the same space.

On behalf of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, H E Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa, Deputy Mufti Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, having a home is one important aspect of life. He says the Quran reveals how Allah called Noah and guided him on survival.

"May the Lord let me land at a blessed place, You Lord are the best host to accommodate us", Sheikh Waiswa quoted one of the scriptures as he welcomed the EC to their new home. He says in order to sustain a home, you should know we are not the first there but remember other people were there before in order to sustain stability and be able to move. He also gave another example by quoting Prophet Muhammad: "Say my Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and a sound exit. Pay for both and grant me thy Lord a Supporting Authority in order to live in a place sustainably."

Lastly, he urged the EC to attract and accommodate the youth in some of the main stream jobs. Meanwhile, Gen. Katumba Wamala, Minister for Works and Transport said there is need to promote local content through NHCC because they are in charge of major construction projects in the country and promised the EC that their permanent home in Lubowa will be ready by the 2026 General Elections which response received a thunderous applause from the EC Staff, and well wishers in the audience who included political actors from different political parties. The Cheif Guest, Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs says the EC is central to whatever is important in Uganda.

"EC is all about ensuring we have a good journey as a Country despite the rules, they have to be respected. Rules can be dynamic and people are free to interpret them the way they want but it is important to have a government which is vigilant in order to apply the rules fairly," Hon. Mao revealed. He added that the only way to support your family is by providing home ownership.

Hon. Mao promised to ensure that government beats the deadline to make sure that the EC settles at new headquarters in Lubowa and pleged full support even if it requires a supplementary budget.

Meanwhile, below is the Address by the Chairperson Electoral Commission at the Official Opening Ceremony of the new Electoral Commission Head Office Premises

Thursday, 30th March 2023

VERBATIM

On behalf of the Commission, I would like to welcome you all to this very historic and important occasssion when the Electoral Commission officially opens its new temporary Head offices located at plot No. 1-3/5 Seventh Street Industrial Area, Kampala to the public.

As you are aware, in 2022,the Government of Uganda tasked National Housing and Construction Company to provide the Electoral Commission with temporary office premises and undertake the necessary process to design, construct, install, furnish, and complete a Customized permanent home for the Electoral Commission.

Accordingly, on 16th December 2022, the Commission embarked on the process of relocating our offices, personnel and equipment from plot 55, Jinja Road, Kampala, to this new temporary office premises, which was formerly the HQs of NHCC Ltd.

The relocation phase was completed and the former premises on plot 55, Jinja Road, were officially handed over to Uganda National Roads Authority(UNRA) on 14th March 2023, to pave the way for the road infrastructure developments and any other activities that the new landlord UNRA, may wish to carry out. I wish to thank the following ministries and agencies for their support in the relocation process and the remodelling of this new temporary premises, leading to this inauguration today:

1. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs;
2. The Ministry of Works and Transport;
3. The Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development;
4. The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; and;
5. Kampala Capital City Authority among others.

However, as you will observe during the inspection, while this new(temporary) home offers an improved office layout and working environment, it still falls short of meeting the Commission's space requirements. Our staff capacity at Head office is three hundred and ten persons(310), excluding security personnel. However, this facility can only accommodate half the number.

Nevertheless, the relocation from the former premises on Plot 55, Jinja Road, Kampala to this new temporary location marks significant progress in the continuing journey of the Commission to own its own permanent and custom-built home.

Consequently, in collaboration with NHCC and other relevant Government agencies, we are progressing with the designs for the permanent home for the institution.

We call upon your support in this effort as the state-of-the-art home will give the Commission suitable office and storage facilities, a condusive working environment and an enhanced professional image.

The said custom-built home will also go a long way in improving service delivery by ensuring that all necessary facilities and services are located in one centre. The owned home will also help the Commission save on the money spent on renting facilities like warehouses and other related amenities. As we work towards this goal, the Commission will utilise this office premises to deliver our services in accordance with our constitutional mandate. Therefore, to my colleagues and all staff of the EC, I wish you all an improved, collaborative, efficient, and pleasant working environment, where you will innovate, grow and excel in your service to the country

And to our esteemed stakeholders, we promise you exceptional service delivery, welcoming and wonderful client experience at this new office premises To NHCC Ltd, our new landlords, we thank you for your partnership in this continuing journey. We Commit to meet the terms of engagement and look forward to the expeditious execution of the plan to build a customized permanent home for the EC.

For God and my Country,

Justice Byabakama Simon Mugenyi, Chairperson, Electoral Commission.