URA’S Shs 140 bn house near completion

Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE |  The new headquarters of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) is on track for completion this year.

According to Ian Rumanyika, the manager for public and corporate affairs in the Commissioner General’s office, the construction, which begun in August 2014 is expected to end in August 2018.  The new URA Shs140 billion headquarters is located in Nakawa, about three kilometres from Kampala city centre.

At 22 floors, the house will be one of the tallest buildings in Kampala and will provide spacious and ambiance executive space for office staff of the authority. URA will save over sh10billion annually on rent with the new development.

Currently, the tax body houses its officials in small, old fashioned buildings that require rehabilitation. The new building is expected to somewhat boost productivity of staff in the long term.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Shs 2.57bn Walusimbi tarmac lane (0.37km) which will connect from Nakawa trading centre to the new headquarters is underway and is expected to be opened in May 2018.

It is being constructed by a local company – Kiru General Services Limited – and funded by the government of Uganda under URA vote – the same funder for the URA building.