Construction of Uganda’s New Parliament Chamber has reached 63% overall progress, with an accelerated programme now targeting substantial completion of the Plenary Chamber by 31 August 2027.
The latest project status report, prepared by the project team and supervising consultants, Ssentoogo & Partners, indicates that progress has improved considerably, supported by the installation of heavy structural steel and the arrival of key imported and specialised materials.
While the current contractual completion date for the overall project remains 30 December 2027, the acceleration plan prioritises the Plenary Chamber and the essential facilities required for its operation, allowing Parliament to potentially begin using the new Chamber four months earlier.
The report states that the overall 63% progress takes into account physical works, materials on site and procurements by the contractor, ROKO Construction Ltd.
STEADY PROGRESS
According to the report, the steady improvement in progress is attributable to the increased pace of installation of the heavy structural steel, which has now reached the apex of the roof, together with the availability of key imported materials.
Roofing and skylight materials are already on site, as are aluminium and glazing materials for the laminated curtain walls, aluminium materials for the blast-resistant glazing façade and all nine lifts.
Roof installation is now underway, with completion of the roof covering targeted for 11 October 2026 — a significant milestone which will allow internal finishes and specialised services to progress in a substantially weather-tight building.
The report notes that the improved progress demonstrates that mitigation measures introduced on the project, including additional secured advance funding and direct payments to critical subcontractors and suppliers, are producing results.
“This is evidence that the mitigation measures involving provision of additional advance and direct payments to sub-contractors and suppliers is yielding positive results for progressive implementation of the works,” the report states.
Major reinforced concrete works forming the structural frame of the New Chamber are also largely complete.
The report further indicates that installation of aluminium profiles for the laminated glazing curtain walls is ongoing.
Materials for the blast-resistant curtain wall façade arrived in Kampala in July and were subsequently inspected at ROKO Construction’s Kawempe yard, where the project team confirmed delivery of the consignment.
The first batch of blast-resistant glazing materials has faced shipping delays arising from transportation challenges linked to the Middle East conflict, but the materials are now in transit and expected in Mombasa in September.
SOUTH WING WORKS COMPLETE
The rehabilitation works to the South Wing of the existing Parliamentary Building have meanwhile been completed.
The report describes ROKO’s quality and workmanship on the completed works as satisfactory and in accordance with the project’s technical specifications and design documentation.
PROJECT CHALLENGES
The status report also sets out the principal challenges that have contributed to delays in the New Chamber project.
These include the acquisition of additional land and subsequent three-metre expansion of the building, which increased the planned capacity of the Chamber from 500 to 600 Members of Parliament.
Essential utilities, including high-pressure water mains, storm-water infrastructure and NBI infrastructure, were also discovered traversing the construction site and had to be relocated before sections of the works could proceed.
The project underwent further design modifications, including changes to accommodate additional facilities and modifications to offices for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Security requirements also changed substantially following a joint assessment by Government security agencies in 2022. This resulted in the requirement for blast-resistant glazed curtain walls and a heavy concrete security wall.
Because the blast-resistant systems are custom-designed and manufactured specifically for the New Chamber, considerable additional time was required for design, sourcing and manufacture.
The report also identifies ROKO’s cash-flow constraints, the COVID-19 pandemic, international shipping and logistical difficulties, and the highly specialised nature of the building’s structural and technological systems among the factors that have affected progress.
ACCELERATED COMPLETION PROGRAMME
The project team has now developed an acceleration strategy aimed at achieving substantial completion of the Plenary Chamber by 31 August 2027, ahead of the overall contractual completion date.
Under the plan, the Plenary Chamber and the facilities essential to its operation will be prioritised. These include Members’ access routes, essential lobbies, sanitation, fire and life-safety systems, power, air conditioning and ventilation, lighting, audio-visual and broadcasting systems, interpretation facilities and secure emergency exits.
The acceleration measures include early procurement of long-lead specialised materials and equipment, controlled advance funding backed by appropriate guarantees, direct payments to critical suppliers and subcontractors, additional specialist resources, parallel work fronts and extended and weekend shifts where required.
ROKO will also be required to meet a series of intermediate milestones, including completion of the roofing, façades and glazing before progressing through specialised services, finishes, testing and commissioning.
Physical progress is expected to reach approximately 71% by December 2026.
Subject to implementation of the acceleration measures and associated funding mechanisms, the programme targets substantial completion of the Plenary Chamber by 31 August 2027, followed by completion, commissioning and handover of the overall project by 30 December 2027.
COMMISSION REVIEWS PROGRESS
Members of the Parliamentary Commission visited the New Chamber project on 26 August 2026 to review the status of the works and the proposed way forward.
During the visit, the Commission was briefed on the progress achieved, the outstanding works and the milestones required to accelerate completion of the Plenary Chamber.
The New Chamber project was conceived to address the growing accommodation requirements of Parliament.
The original Parliamentary Chamber, constructed in 1959, was designed for only 82 Members. The new development will provide a 600-seat Plenary Chamber, additional committee rooms and office accommodation, together with modern security, broadcasting and building-management systems.
ROKO Construction Ltd is the main contractor for the project, whose revised contract value is approximately Shs220 billion.
