HE. Ambassador Albert Shingiro(L), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi and Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (R) at the event
The Special Envoy of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Monday morning officiated at the commissioning of the Official Chancery building of the Embassy of the republic of Uganda in Bujumbura, Burundi.
In his opening remarks, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, conveyed a message of gratitude for the message of condolence sent on behalf of the Government and people of Burundi in honor of the Speaker of Parliament, Late Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah who passed on yesterday, 20th March 2022.
Rt. Hon. Dr. Rugunda hailed the excellent cordial and fraternal bilateral relations between Uganda and Burundi which are historic in nature founded on shared principles of Pan Africanism and regional Integration.
The Special Envoy noted “Today, marks yet another land mark in the consolidation of relations between our two sisterly countries. I would like to warmly thank the government of the Republic of Burundi for their foresight and facilitation of this process through the allocation of valuable and strategically located land in Kiyange Village, Buterere Zone, Ntahangwa Commune, Bujumbura City, which is approximately 3.25 acres (11,037 Square meters) to the Republic of Uganda to construct this Embassy premise.”
Rt. Hon. Dr. Rugunda commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Uganda Embassy Bujumbura team for the construction of this magnificent three storeyed building to house our Chancery. He also extended his appreciation to the contractors for the job well done.
He called on the staff at the Mission to maximally utilize this building to show value for money.
He noted that the decision of the Government of Uganda to construct this Chancery in Bujumbura was informed by the strong bond of friendship that our people and governments have built and enjoyed from well before we both attained independence till today. Therefore, the construction of a permanent home in Bujumbura was a bold statement that Uganda is here to stay and that Burundi is on the rise, peaceful and a reliable partner in the region.
He highlighted Uganda’s contribution to the Burundi peace process and congratulated the government and people of Burundi on the well negotiated and executed peace processes and ensuring that peace prevails and rebuilding of the country takes centre stage. Indeed, Burundi was a testament to the doctrine of “African solutions to African problems”.
The Special Envoy welcomed the holding of the forthcoming Uganda-Burundi Joint Permanent Commission commencing the following day and the business forum the day after, and urged the private sector players, the business people and entrepreneurs to use this framework to grow trade, business and investments relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries. He added that the launch of four times a week which is set to increase to six times a week, direct flights by Uganda Airlines between Entebbe and Bujumbura was a strong stimulator to intensifying of trade relations between the two countries.
In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Albert Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi congratulated the government and people of Uganda on the official inauguration of the new building to serve as Ugandan Embassy in Burundi.
He remarked that “This beautiful building demonstrates Uganda’s commitment to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. It is indeed a lasting symbol of the deep ties between Burundi and Uganda. This means a lot! It means that Uganda is committed to stay a good political and economic partner of Burundi forever.”
Highlighted that Burundi’s soon taking over the Chairmanship of EAC and Uganda’s assumption of the Chairmanship of NAM would provide yet a good opportunity for the two countries to strengthen collaboration and cooperation with in these two important platforms.
He noted that investments and trade are top of the priorities of their Excellences the President of Burundi and Uganda respectively. Burundi therefore, looked forward to the Third Session of the Uganda-Burundi Joint Permanent Commission and business forum between the two sides as a launch pad to promoting trade and investment relations between the two countries.
He stressed that the signing of agreements is one thing but the implementation of the same requires full commitment to which he pledged to follow through on behalf of Burundi.
The event was attended by officials of both Governments Uganda and Burundi, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Private sector, Religious leaders, the Ugandan Community living Burundi, the Media and Ugandan Businesses operating in Burundi who had exhibition of their goods and services.
Facts
In 2012, the Government of the Republic of Burundi offered the Embassy of Uganda a piece of land for the construction of the Chancery. The land, identified as Plot 8467/C is strategically located in Kiyange Village (Quartier Mirrior), Buterere Zone, Ntahangwa Commune, Bujumbura City, measures 11,037 Square meters (approximately 3.25 acres).
In February 2015, a decision was made by the Government of Uganda to commence construction of the Chancery. Following the procedures of PPDA, the
procurement process for a contractor and consultant were subsequently commenced.
After the completion of the bidding process, Ms ROBUCO Enterprise des Travaux de Genie et d’Hydraulique was procured as Contractor while Centre D’Etudes et de Calculs (CEC) was procured as the Consultant.
The contract for the construction of the Chancery was signed in Kampala on 21st August 2017 between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uganda and ROBUCO Enterprise des Travaux de Genie et d’Hydraulique, for a contract sum of USD 3,567,482.419
In October 2017, the site was handed over to the contractor and construction of the Chancery commenced.
Project works were completed in December 2020, and occupied in January 2021.
