PICTORIAL: Museveni hails Sudhir as construction of multi-billion Speke Convention Centre nears completion

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.