During a guided tour of ongoing construction projects in Kampala and Entebbe on Saturday, President Yoweri Museveni expressed his particular satisfaction with the exceptional development of the state-of-the-art Speke Convention Centre in Munyonyo.
Barely two months before the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 (G-77) as well as the China Third South summits, the massive multibillion-dollar conference center is already 90% complete.
Part of the nation's new leadership obligations is the summit, scheduled for January 15–23, 2024, with the theme "Deepening cooperation for shared global affluence," and the Third South Summit focusing on "Leaving no one behind."
H.E. Yoweri Museveni said during a tour of Speke Resort Munyonyo and other projects in Kampala and Entebbe that hosting these summits will provide a forum for international cooperation and solidarity as well as the achievement of common goals.
Wearing his trademark white hat, Mr. Museveni set out on a guided tour on Saturday with his daughter, Natasha Karugire. Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, a businessman from the city, and his Ruparelia Group have partnered with the Ugandan government to construct this kind of multibillion-dollar infrastructure.
The sound of machinery and the building's rhythmic pulses could be heard across the vast area as the president traversed it.
Towering beams and the bare framework of what would someday be a state-of-the-art conference center framed the surrounding countryside. The president, who is well known for his meticulousness, responded to inquiries, gaining knowledge about the project's development process and engaging with the project's brain trust.
In a brief address to the group, the President commended Sudhir for his dedication and perseverance in bringing a notion to life.
"This Convention Center is a symbol of progress and potential for our city, not just a testament to architectural prowess." "It will be a gathering place for ideas, a place for collaboration, and a source of pride for all citizens," said Museveni.
The president's delight raised spirits across the city, not just at the construction site. Once just a concept on paper, the Convention Center now stood as a tangible testament to progress, with the remaining 11% of the project still unfinished and the promise of a major opening that would be felt far beyond the borders of construction.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, chairman of the Ruparelia Group of Companies, which owns Speke Group of Hotels, claims that the advanced multipurpose convention center has facilities including a 4,000-seat auditorium and upscale conference meeting rooms.