UPDF ACHIEVES 25% PROGRESS IN ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF SOROTI DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS IN KATINE

The leadership of Soroti District has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the ongoing construction of the new District Administration Block in Katine. This was revealed during a site monitoring visit and a subsequent meeting held at the construction site on April 17, 2025.

The construction project, valued at UGX 10.5 billion, is being implemented by the UPDF Engineers Brigade under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Soroti District and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. The project aims to provide a modern, spacious, and efficient working environment for district administration, ultimately improving public service delivery.

During the visit, the team—comprising key district leaders and technical officers—commended the quality of work and professionalism displayed by the UPDF engineers. The works are currently estimated at 25% completion, and the leadership expressed confidence that the project is progressing steadily.

“The progress made so far is commendable. We are pleased with how the construction is unfolding, and we believe this new administrative block will greatly improve the efficiency of our district operations,” said Hon. Edoru Simon Peter Ekuu, the District Chairperson.

The project, which began in the 2023/2024 financial year, is being executed in phases to cater to the growing administrative needs of the district. Upon completion, the new block will house various district departments, creating a centralized and more accessible hub for public services.

The district council speaker Mr Stephen Olebe, expressed optimism that the facility will enhance the working environment for staff and contribute to the overall growth of Soroti District.

However, Captain Noah Opio, the UPDF Engineers Brigade site regional supervisor, highlighted that the project has faced some delays due to slow disbursement of funds. “We urge the district leadership to expedite the release of funds to prevent further delays,” he appealed.

Responding to this, Principal Assistant Secretary, Mr. Moses Esatu, explained that the delays are a result of ongoing financial constraints faced by government.

Esatu noted that the Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs) have dropped from UGX 1 billion that the central government used to send to UGX 500 million in recent financial year.

“Despite the drop in funding, we have so far received close to UGX 3.5 billion from the Ministry of Finance, which explains the level of progress achieved by the UPDF Engineers Brigade,” Esatu added.

Upon completion, the new District Administration Block is expected to streamline operations and strengthen the district’s capacity to serve its people more efficiently.

Ends
By Abraham Ekwaru, Communication Officer – Soroti District