UPDF Engineers Aim to Complete New Defence HQs Earlier than Anticipated

The works on the foundation of the twin buildings that will house the new multibillion-shilling Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs Headquarters are now complete.

According to one of the lead engineers, Lt Col Robert Chabo, the works are now going to move faster, with completion of a slab at least every three months. In construction, a slab refers to reinforced concrete element used to form floors, ceilings, and roofs.

Based on this projection, it may indeed be possible that the 5-storied twin office blocks will be completed within two years.

"The foundation is the hardest part because of systems that must be incorporated. Remember, the whole building rests on the foundation, and that is why we take time to ensure a great job is done," Lt Col Chabo told this publication in an interview.

“We conducted massive excavations, and we encountered a hard rock that we had to dismantle,” Lt Col Chabo added, explaining that the excavation to flatten the area took about two months.

However, he noted that with the foundation now complete, it is clear that they will complete the project within two years as the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, demanded of them.

"When you come back here next year around October, we will be on the last slab. In the second year of the project, we shall only be working on the roof and doing final touches," Lt Col Chabo, who was supervising the works, noted.

The construction of the new MoDVA Headquarters was commissioned by Gen Kainerugaba in August, where he emphasized the role of the headquarters in ensuring operational efficiency. The engineers had anticipated completing the works in three years, but the CDF challenged them to consider finalizing the works within two years.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Gen Kainerugaba said the multibillion-shilling project will feature cutting-edge technology and infrastructure to "support a modern defense strategy."

He emphasized, "We are not only building for today, we are also building for tomorrow. So, this building will take that into consideration."

He further noted, "We will be building a sustainable and future-ready headquarters."

The new headquarters is expected to cost about Shs 94 billion.