Kampala, (UG): President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday took a guided tour to inspect the progress of the ongoing construction projects in Kampala and Entebbe and was particularly impressed with the remarkable progress of the state-of-the-art Speke Convention Centre at Munyonyo.
The Construction of the sprawling multibillion convention centre currently stands at 90% with just two months into the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 (G-77) plus the China Third South summits.
The conference, which is expected to run between January 15 and 23, 2024, under the theme: “Deepening cooperation for shared global affluence”, with the Third South Summit focussing on “Leaving no one behind”, is part of the country’s responsibility in the new leadership role.
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H.E Yoweri Museveni while touring Speke Resort Munyonyo and other projects within Kampala and Entebbe said hosting these summits will provide a platform for global cooperation and solidarity, and for advancing common goals.
Clad in his iconic white hat, Mr Museveni on Saturday accompanied by his daughter Natasha Karugire embarked on a guided tour, alongside city businessman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia whose Ruparelia Group entered a partnership with government of Uganda to erect such a multibillion infrastructure.
The hum of machinery and the rhythmic beats of construction echoed through the air as the President traversed the vast expanse of the site.
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Towering beams and the skeletal structure of what would soon be a state-of-the-art convention centre framed the landscape. The President, known for a keen eye for detail, asked questions, engaging with the minds behind the project, and absorbing the intricacies of the construction process.
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In a brief address to the gathered crowd, the President commended Sudhir’s dedication and hard work in transforming a vision into a tangible reality.
“This Convention Center stands not just as a testament to architectural prowess but as a symbol of progress and potential for our city. It will be a hub for ideas, a venue for collaboration, and a source of pride for all citizens,” Museveni said.
The President’s satisfaction boosted morale not only at the construction site but throughout the city. The Convention Center, once a vision on paper, now stood as a tangible testament to progress, with the final 11% awaiting completion, promising a grand inauguration that would echo far beyond the construction fences.
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Dr Sudhir Ruparelia, the chairman of the Ruparelia Group of Companies under which Speke Group of Hotel falls says the modern multipurpose Convention Centre, which has facilities such as high-end conference meeting rooms, and a 4,000-seater auditorium where NAM delegates will be hosted.
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