Uganda prepares to host Queen as infrastructure is swiftly put in place
By Ugandan Correspondent
Uganda one of the least-developing countries in Eastern part of African has dedicated its resources and energy to host the Queen of England, Her Majesty Elizabeth II slated in September.
Despite poverty, prolonged wars in Northern Uganda where Kony has massacred tens of thousand of civilians, demonstration over Mabira tropical forests organised by opposition, Uganda Government has refurbished and reconstructed its infrastructure.
Entebbe Airport , Hotels, Roads, Tourism sites, infrastructure, electricity and water supply systems are under refurbishment and construction.
From its inception over 30-years ago, Entebbe International Airport is 50% beyond its capacity mark.
The airport with a design capacity of 1.2 million passengers and 160,000 aircraft movements a year, handled more than 600,000 passengers last year.
The development is attributed to sustained growth in the airport’s business (averaging 20 percent over the past 5 years) and expansion of the airports facilities was embarked on this year.
The arrivals hall has been expanded northwards of the current facility by a distance of 24 metres while two new Entebbe Crosses 50 percent capacity Mark in 2006 90 metre long baggage reclaim belts will be installed to reduce congestion.
Work on the project is progressing well and handover of the completed project is slated for September 2007.
The works follow a plan adopted in 2002 that involves expansion and redesign of the existing facilities to accommodate anticipated growth in demand for air services over the next two decades.
Another $1 million contract will see the installation of two passenger boarding and disembarkation bridges while the new $3.8 million domestic passenger terminal has reached roofing stage.
The facility, located at the old terminal has a design capacity of 200,000 passengers a year. Seven months ahead of the historic Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting CHOGM), an evaluation team from the Commonwealth Secretariat has given preparations by Uganda ’s hospitality sector a clean bill of health.
Inspecting hotel projects in the Kampala-Mukono-Wakiso corridor, the team estimated the works were 75 percent ready with major civil works complete and only finishing touches and furnishing pending.
Among hotels inspected were the Kampala Serena (152rooms); Hotel Africana (115 + 110 under construction); Sheraton Kampala (222); Imperial Royale (212 under construction); Spreke Resort Munyoyo (143+60 presidential suites under construction, Imperial Resort Beach (181) and Bwebaja Jogo Hotel –( to operate as Protea Entebbe).
Hotel capacity in the country has more than doubled as investors’ position themselves to reap from the historic event.
Over 5000 hotel rooms spanning four grades were in place for the summit. Of these, 1779 are in the upper market segment, 1209 in the mid- market segment, 1030 in the mid-range category while 1013 are budget market.
The government has extended tax waivers on imported inputs, mainly catering equipment, air conditioning units and furnishings.
All domestic operations will be relocated to the new terminal, whose construction is expected to be complete by June 2007. Also up for refurbishment are all passenger movement areas and air conditioning in the departure lounge.
Hospitality Sector gets the thumbs up as capacity Doubles Ahead of CHOGM summit. The increased capacity is expected to put Uganda in a position to attract more international events and allow the industry tap into the meetings. Ends