UAP Nakawa Business Park is an iconic grade A office development that offers modern detailed planning of tailored office accommodation. The recently completed project defines anew the existing standards for quality office developments in Uganda and East Africa.
Located at the intersection of Jinja Road and new Port Bell Road, on the eastern edge of Kampala, the site is just 4 kilometers from the Kampala CBD, an ideal location for any business to thrive.
The developer, UAP Properties Ltd commissioned Symbion as the project architects and Acorn as project managers and with their wide experience and capacity in handling projects across several countries, the UAP Business park has emerged as another outstanding feature to grace the Kampala skyline. This first class business environment allows occupants to enjoy a wide range of high quality facilities, amenities and services set in a beautiful and natural landscape.
UAP Nakawa Business Park is the first of its kind in Uganda and spreads over approximately 40,000m2. The project consists of 4 blocks of 8 storeys each, covering approximately 23,000m2 of prime office space and 13,000m2 of basement parking. The architecture of UAP Nakawa Business Park transforms experience of a corporate office, with state-of-the-art finishes and fittings designed with maximum flexibility to meet occupier expecatations.
Construction works on this US$27million project began in 2011 and involved developing a new ultra modern office complex complete with parking amenities.
China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC), a leading international engineering contractor with strong competitiveness in the global regional markets was the main contractor of the project. Together with a strong project team of competent surveyors, engineers and material suppliers, they started on the construction of what now stands as a unique business park, the first of its kind in Uganda.
“This particular project had a unique design compared to all other office developments we have handled before and our relationship with other project team members was one of the smoothest ones leading to the successful completion of the project” remarked Paul Habyarimana the project managers representative.
The project has raised the bar in sustainable building ahead of its time. Constructed from concrete bricks with a steel frame, glass windows and doors, aluminium door frames, galvanized and pre-painted iron sheets and conmix exterior façade, the building was built to blend well with the already existing structures and meet current building requirements.
Features of the new building include 24-hour security including access control systems and integrated CCTV surveillance and 24-hour backup generator for office users to continue working. Modern passenger lifts have also been installed in the building. Pressurized water system, firefighting sprinkler system and fire alarm, ICT backbone system, 60,000 litre capacity water reserve tanks and air conditioning ducts have also been installed. Effect lighting at the reception area gives the place a great ambiance.
It is hoped that the construction of UAP Nakawa Business Park in addition to the already existing Makerere University Business School and Capital shopper’s shopping center will further reduce on the congestion in the city center.
“We feel the project will fit in well with the already existing business activities in the Nakawa division,” remarks Paul.
The main challenge faced by the contractor on this project was the culture differences which were made worse by the language barriers. This was however overruled by the excellent working relationship among the other project team members. In August 2013, the project was completed and CATIC, the main contractor is looking forward to passing on their knowledge and expertise to other professionals in this field.
Project team
Project manager: Acorn Management Uganda
Architects; Symbion Uganda
Main Contractor: CATIC
Quantity Surveyors: BBL
Structural Engineers: Proman consult Ltd
Mechanical & Electrical Engineers:: Multikonsult Ltd
Air conditioning: Thermocool
Lift installations: ROKO Technical services
Timber fittings: Nile House Ltd
