KAMPALA–The Democratic Party (DP), Uganda’s longest oldest political party, has kicked off a construction drive to build Bendicto Kiwanuka Tower, in memory of its former popular leader.
Kiwanuka was the first Prime Minister of Uganda, leader of DP and one of the early leaders who led the country to independence.
During the press conference held on Tuesday at DP headquarters, City Hall, the party spokesperson Kenneth Paul Kakande said the construction of Kiwanuka building is expected to be completed this year.
“We would have finished it last year but we had to first sort out some issues with the land offices. To be open to you, some grabbers wanted to grab our land,” Kakande told journalists.
PML Daily has learnt that the party procured land in Rubaga division, where the tower will be constructed.
Once the construction is completed, the building will house DP offices and other rooms will be rented out.
“Unlike NRM party which has access to State coffers but they have failed to have their own home, DP members want the party to stop renting. Many Ugandans have approached us, ready to fundraise for the construction,” Kakande noted.
Among the largest political parties in Uganda, it is only FDC owning a building at Najjanakumbi, a city suburb. Other political parties are still renting.
In 2014, the ruling NRM party was almost ejected from its offices along Kyadondo Road over failure to pay rent.
DP’s president Norbert Mao at one time asked government to build a leadership institute in memory of Kiwanuka to help groom future leaders.
Mao said once this institution is built, it would help instill into the youth leadership values exhibited by Kiwanuka.
