RUKUNGIRI DISTRICT OFFICE BLOCK TO BE NAMED AFTER GEN.ARONDA NYAKAIRIMA

By Barak Tukashaba
In Rukungiri–

Rukungiri District Local Government has failed to complete the Sh.3bn
administration block whose construction started 15 years ago.
The gigantic three strayed building is lying idle.

It lacks internal furnishing and other furniture. Four LC5 chairmen
have run the district and left without completing the office block.

The building whose plan was started by Prof. Gabreil Kagwagye’s
government in 2002/03 and its implementation in 2005 and has seen
three chairpersons, Zedekia Karokara and Charles Byabakama come and go without completing it.

The building that has taken over fifteen years of construction is yet
to be complete.
Kato Milton the chief Administrative officer who is on transfer to
Gulu district in the recent reshuffle has blamed the failure to
complete the building in time to slow flow of funds that are received
in phases.

He says the building was started when the district was still collecting graduated tax that was abolished by the president in 2005.

The chief Finance officer says the district has been facing financial constraints since abolition of graduated tax.

According to Mr. Bagira Julius Byakurema acting District Engineer
Rukungiri a consultancy firm, habitat consultants was hired in
february, 2005 to come up with architectural and structural designs
and also prepared the cost estimates (bills of quantities) / bidding
document for the proposed building and finally, procured a contractor,
babcon for the implementation of the project phase1.

He says the entire cost for the project was estimated at ugx.
2,112,555,406 (two billion one hundred twelve million five hundred
fifty five thousand four hundred six shillings) in addition to the
consultants’ professional fee was ugx. 52,200,000.

He quickly adds that the ground floor was completed and ready for use
with completion of the works on the remaining floors estimated at shs
1,096,646,452 excluding the installation of a lift.

The chairperson social service says, “yes we can’t rule out lack of
funds but also allegations of internal fraud have caused the delay,
some officials have turned the construction into their garden”.

The Administration block was earlier approved by the district
executive to be named after the late Gen. Aronda Nyakairima in memory
of his contribution to the development of the district.

The proposal that was moved by the former district LC 5 chairperson
Charles Byabakama was seconded by the former LC 5 vice chairperson; Hellen Kabajungu currently awaits council approval.
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