UNICEF and WFP begin construction of joint premises in Uganda
The agencies commit to a greener, more inclusive UN
“Today it is really a celebration as two UN agencies come together to fulfil the guidance from the Secretary General, have joint premises and deliver as one UN. UNICEF Uganda has been working towards positive climate action and with this new construction we show once again that we walk the talk. When we move into the premises, we shall be able to save on rent and operational costs. Money that should be spent on ensuring safe and healthy future for boys and girls in the country,"
In December, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) held a ground-breaking ceremony to kick off the construction of their joint office premises in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb.
From 1962 to 2000, Plot 142 Boazman Road, Mbuya provided residence for three senior UNICEF staff. The small rustic houses, whose aging tiles are testament to how long this organization that works to make the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged children better has been operating in the country.
As the organization grew and the buildings got older, UNICEF used the compound as storage facility and for back up office space. Driven by the increased cost of renting, UNICEF decided to build its own office premises, which would be more cost effective in the long term. And, in the spirit of the One United Nations, invited WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian organization that works to save lives in emergencies, to join them.
Situated on 2.8 acres, the premises will feature parking space, health amenities, gender-sensitive services such as breast-feeding rooms and green gardens. Special focus will be given to making sure the premises are energy efficient, making maximum use of natural light and using renewable energy sources such as solar.
It will also provide for sewage treatment, water recycling and rainwater harvesting. UNICEF and WFP have committed to keep at least 50 per cent of the lush green gardens and towering decades-old trees that grace the property.
The premises will also have full disability access and foster stronger ties between the two agencies that already deliver jointly on some projects, including that on school feeding and addressing malnutrition in Karamoja and providing food assistance to refugees.
“We are building premises that will reflect our values as an inclusive and environmentally conscious United Nations. The United Nations is already a great place to work, and these premises will create an even better environment for our staff – enabling them to deliver jointly on the UN goals while serving the most vulnerable,” WFP Uganda Country Representative, Abdirahman Meygag said. “Whether it is our pregnant and breastfeeding staff and clients or people with disability, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace while minimizing our carbon footprint.”
The premises are set to benefit not only UN staff and the people it serves but also those who will be directly and indirectly involved in the construction. As the project goes into procuring construction materials and paying for services, it will contribute to the national economy. It will create jobs for an estimated 200 people, including women, will be involved in both technical construction work and providing ancillary services such as preparing food.
“The Kampala skyline, this area of Kampala, will not be same. You are going to transform it,” Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director Kampala Capital City Authority, said. “We thank UNICEF and WFP for this important investment that will contribute to making our city greener while injecting money into the economy. We encourage everyone to build a greener Kampala. Thank you for being part of the solution.”
