Minister Butime inspects tourism projects in Jinja
Donald Kiirya
Journalist @New Vision
_______________________ Excel Construction Limited's Project Manager Dickson Owoyesigire (2nd right) showing the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities Tom Butime (left) the archtectural designs of the Source of the Nile viewing deck and Glass Bridge project being constructed in Jinja City. The UHTTI hotel in Jinja City.
The Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Tom Butime, has embarked on an inspection of Tourism projects in Jinja city to assess the progress of the construction works.
In the company of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Doreen Katusiime, had a guided tour of the Principal of Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute (UHTTI).
The tour was conducted by the Principal, Richard Kawere, and Prof. Mary Okwakol the chairperson of the UHTTI board of governors.
The projects under construction that he inspected included the Source of the Nile viewing deck and Glass Bridge. UHTTI is funded by World Bank while Source of the Nile is a project under the central government.
Butime's team also inspected the construction works of UHTTI’s new administration block, Classroom, and conference halls.
UHTTI project;
Richard Turyahabwe the project manager / Architect at Arch Design revealed that the general construction of the UHTTI project especially the training hotel has already achieved 90%. Construction is being undertaken by ROKO Construction Company Limited.
He added that construction of the additional second floor at the hotel is ongoing with works at 80%.
“We are also doing the installation of various sets of equipment from seven different suppliers ranging from laundry, Kitchen, bakery, furniture, furnishing, cutlery, interior décor and the general equipment for the hotel,” Turyahabwe said adding that they want the hotel to be fully functional on the day of its commissioning.
He said that part of the hotel equipment like Air Conditioning items, Televisions, Telephones, and cameras were procured and are available but they cannot install them when they have not finished construction.
The Principal of UHTTI, Richard Kawere, described the progress as remarkably good.
He added that the project is a flagship project of the central government, a landmark achievement for the hospitality of Tourism training in this country.
Allan Atwijjuka, the Estates Manager of UHTTI and Contract Manager of the project work said construction works being done by CRJA are at 50% for the 19 billion project.
Atwijjuka revealed that the actual construction works started in November 2023 and were expected to be completed in May 2024 but have been delayed by challenges of weather adding that they hope to finish in the next three months (in August).
Source of the Nile viewing deck and Glass Bridge;
Stephen Male, a quality surveyor at Excel Construction Company Limited said that the sh13 billion project exclusive of VAT, is going smoothly.
“We are going to construct seven structures and they include the main reception building, the Glass Bridge and restaurant, and the toilet,” Atwijjuka said.
He said construction of the main reception building is underway.
Minister Butime was impressed by the progress of works at the Source of the Nile viewing and Glass Bridge project.
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