Construction of Uganda’s new Parliament Chambers has entered the final phase, with contractors completing major steel works and shifting focus to roofing, interior and exterior finishes.
The project, being undertaken by Roko Construction Ltd, is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
The steel works, described as the most sophisticated part of the project, were subcontracted to Irish firm Kelly Steel, a globally recognised company known for complex bent steel frames and landmark architectural projects.
The Irish Embassy in Kampala this week visited the site and hailed the progress.
“We visited the new Parliament building which is taking shape beautifully! Impressive to see the unique expertise and craftsmanship from Kelly Steel and Roko, both owned by Irish diaspora. 3,000 tonnes of bent steel frames from Kelly Steel shaped this landmark building,” the Embassy said.
Kelly Steel, run by Carlow native John O’Kelly, has handled major projects across the Middle East, including the Butterfly Pavilion in Dubai, the ADNEC skyscraper in Abu Dhabi, and structural steel frames for other landmark buildings.
Roko Construction Ltd Chairman Mark Koehler said the company is committed to delivering a modern, high-quality parliamentary facility.
“We are going to have another architectural marvel in Kampala by the end of next year; state-of-the-art, very beautiful and high-quality chambers,” Koehler said.
“We are currently roofing the structure as we embark on final interior and exterior works,” he added.
The new chambers were initially expected to be completed earlier, but the timelines were revised following major design changes after the 2021 twin suicide bombings at Parliament Avenue and Kampala Central Police Station.
The changes reportedly included bomb-proof glass and other specialised security features, whose approvals contributed to the delays.
The new Parliament Chambers project is an eight-storey block located in the North Wing of the Parliamentary building on Parliamentary Avenue.
Once complete, it will decongest the current colonial-era chamber, which was designed to accommodate about 90 MPs. The new chamber will seat up to 500 Members of Parliament.
The facility will also include an archive centre, press gallery, spacious members’ lounge, library, dining hall, committee rooms, and offices for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
