How govt plans to shift all its offices to Entebbe in $500m project

Kampala, (UG)- The Ugandan government has announced it plans to relocate all its offices from the capital of Kampala to Entebbe in a $500 million project aimed at decongesting the capital and creating an alternative administrative hub.

State Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Hon Evelyn Anite, confirmed the development, revealing that the government has allocated 150 acres of land in Entebbe to Chinese investors for the construction of modern government facilities.

“The government has allocated 150 acres of land in Entebbe to Chinese investors for the construction of modern facilities,” Hon Anite said.

The ambitious project, which will host all government ministries, departments, and agencies currently renting private premises in Kampala, marks a major shift in Uganda’s urban planning and governance strategy.

Anite emphasized that the relocation will be mandatory for all government offices that are not housed in state-owned buildings. “Unless you are in a government-constructed facility, that office will have to move to Entebbe,” she said on Saturday after meeting with Chinese investors in Kampala.

First announced in 2018, the plan has been reactivated as part of broader efforts to ease congestion in Kampala while stimulating economic development in Entebbe. “This is part of the plan to create an alternative capital city in Entebbe,” Anite reiterated.

The new government complex will feature a conference centre, a five-star hotel, an international school, and modern housing to accommodate government workers and expatriates.

Chinese Investor Zhang to lead project

Chinese investor Paul Zhang, whose company Tian Tang Group is spearheading the project, confirmed that construction will begin next month, pending environmental approvals.

Zhang highlighted Entebbe’s strategic advantages, including its proximity to the airport, making it an attractive location for both government operations and private investment. “Some time ago, I approached the minister with a proposal to build an international conference center along with other amenities such as hospitals, international schools, and modern housing in Entebbe,” he said.

Following discussions with President Yoweri Museveni, Zhang was allocated prime land in Kitugulu, Entebbe, to execute the project and the government will oversee the development as a catalyst for job creation and economic expansion.

Zhang reaffirmed his company’s commitment to the $500 million investment, emphasizing the need to revamp Entebbe into a modern urban centre. “While Kampala offers assured profits, Entebbe is an old city that needs modernization,” Zhang noted. “It houses the State House and the UN East Africa headquarters.”

The relocation of government offices and agencies to Entebbe is also expected to attract middle-income citizens to Entebbe, spurring real estate growth and enhancing service delivery. “We, along with the president, saw this as a strategic move, primarily to decongest Kampala,” Anite explained.
“Additionally, its proximity to the airport makes it convenient for international visitors and expatriates requiring high-quality amenities and international schools,” she added.

By shifting its administrative operations to Entebbe, Anite says the government aims to enhance efficiency, reduce rental expenses, and create a more structured urban development plan. “This is an incentive we offer to investors to encourage job creation, broaden the tax base, and drive economic growth.”