Uganda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon Matia Kasaija commissioned the construction of the Entebbe International Airport Free Zone.
The Minister observed that the Uganda Free Zones Authority investment was a flagship project fully funded by the Government of Uganda and complements other Government funded national projects such as; Entebbe Express High Way, Uganda Airlines and the ongoing expansion of the Entebbe International Airport. He said that the Project will directly contribute to the achievement of NDP III and the NRM manifesto 2021- 2026.
Lt Gen James Mugira, the Managing Director and CEO of National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the business arm of Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and UPDF speaking on behalf of NEC which is the implementing Agency of the Strategic Project-The Entebbe Airport Free Zone congratulated H.E Gen Yoweri k. Museveni upon his landslide victory in the recently concluded elections and thanked the people of Uganda for believing in him and once again entrusting him with the leadership of the country.
Mugira informed the Minister that the ground breaking occasion was a result of various engagements which NEC had with the Uganda Free Zones Authority that culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 24th June 2019 between the two Parties. The MoU provided a framework of cooperation for the construction of the Free Zones Port at Entebbe International Airport.
He thanked the leadership of UFZA for the trust and confidence in the capabilities of NEC which, utilizing the Engineers and technical staff of UPDF, has built requisite capacity in the field of Engineering and Civil Works Construction.
Lt Gen Mugira thanked H. E for the strategic guidance and the huge opportunities given to NEC that will no doubt go a long way in supporting his vision for self-reliance in order to break the dependency syndrome.
He informed the Minister that similar engagement mechanisms have been carried out and tested on other strategic projects in the MoDVA/UPDF, MAAIF and recently the construction of Kiira Motors Start up facilities in Jinja Industrial and Business Park being constructed by NEC again utilizing their own UPDF Engineers and scheduled to be commissioned by June this year.
He noted that this has enabled NEC to develop internal capacity with its own Engineers now being in position to undertake major infrastructure projects of all magnitude at relatively lower cost without compromising quality standards because “there are no bribes and kickbacks involved”.
He added that Projects execution also takes a shorter time because there are no bureaucracies involved in the Procurement process which have in most cases been responsible for many Government Project delays.
Gen Mugira expressed his wish and desire to develop NEC Construction, Works and Engineering Ltd- a NEC subsidiary, into a National Construction Company.
He assured the Minister that NEC leadership fully understands and appreciates the significance of the Project to the economy due to its catalytic role in accelerating growth drivers such as export promotion, creating foreign exchange earnings among others. He pledged to give it the attention it deserves.
Gen Mugira thanked the leadership of UFZA for offering NEC yet another opportunity to build capacity and expose its potential in executing such strategic National Infrastructure Development Projects.
On his part, the Executive Director- Uganda Free Zones Authority ; Mr. Hez Arinda informed the Minister that on the completion of the Project, the facility will facilitate smooth flow of business in the Zone. The facility will have firms engaged in high value mineral processing activities, light manufacturing and agro processing for export through Entebbe International Airport.
Present at the function were; UFZA Board Chair-Eng. Dr. Feredrick Kiwanuka, Ag CAA Director – Mr. Fred Bamwesigye, Entebbe Town Clerk, GM NEC Works-Eng Brian Buhanda, Oubuntu Consults – Architect, Technology Consults – Architect among others.
