Justine Nyakaisiki
FORT PORTAL- Construction works on the Fort Portal City Chambers have officially resumed after years of stagnation, bringing excitement and relief among city leaders and residents. Construction of the chambers began in 2010, when Fort Portal was still a Municipal Council. However, in 2011, the project stalled after the Municipal Council terminated the contract of DECON, a construction company that had been awarded the contract.
After two years, construction resumed under KHALSA Construction, which managed to complete only the ground floor before the project stalled again.
According to the City leadership, the works have now resumed after the city received funding of 300 million shillings from the Ministry of Finance, with an additional 250 million shillings contributed by the council.
“We received 300 million shillings from the government, and we appreciate the support under the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and as council, we also added 250 million shillings from our local revenues”. Said Ambrose, the City Clerk.
Betty Mujungu, the Deputy Mayor of Fort Portal City, explained that the building had stalled for many years without any progress due to financial difficulties.
“The chamber building had been there for a long time, being hit by rain, but as I have told you, it’s all because of money issues, because the council has been facing many challenges,” Mujungu highlighted.
Engineer Didas Twesigye, the Site Engineer from Geses Uganda Limited, a construction company that has picked up the works, said the project is expected to be completed by October 2026.
“We have started construction, and the contract is for 10 months. So we are expected to finish it by 28th October this year, and we promise to deliver good work by that time.” Didas Noted.
Betty Mujungu, the Deputy Mayor, added that once completed, the new chambers will address the long-standing challenge of inadequate office space, which has affected service delivery for a long time.
However, Ambrose Ochen, the Fort Portal City Clerk, highlighted the need for more 3 billion shillings to complete the council chambers fully.
Residents also expressed their excitement about the resumption of the construction works and said they are optimistic about the benefits the new chambers will bring to them and the tourism city once completed.
Upon completion, the city leadership will relocate from the current colonial-era building, constructed in 1952, where they currently operate.
