KAMPALA | NSSF Towers | Approved

[u.g boy]

NSSF Project: ROKO Construction Ltd has won another great contract; to construct a modern commercial complex for NSSF (National Social Security Fund). The contract was signed on 1st April 2008 by the NSSF's Managing Director David Chandi on behalf of NSSF and ROKO's Managing Director Dragomir Lakic on behalf of ROKO. The complex will cover nearly 16 acres of land located at Lumumba Avenue, Nakasero opposite French Embassy. The project is estimated to cost 36 billion shillings and is likely to start this month and run for 16 months. It includes shopping rental space at the ground floor, parking space, restaurants, office space and suits the complex will consist of three joint towers two at 10 storeys and one at 21 storey.

the project ended up starting late if it was started then it would of been finished by now.

a render (ttis is what it will look like at completion.)


it will be on lumuba avenuethats near the kampala hilton in nakasero.

[sseki2010]

construction already begin 4 months back

[u.g boy]

Originally Posted by sseki2010

construction already begin 4 months back

really well im not in ug at the moment thanks 4 the info sekei. this tower will give the skyline a more unique look.

[Kenguy]

Update.

image hosted on flickr

[u.g boy]

Pension Towers to quench demand for office space
Sunday, 12th June, 2011
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Roko Construction workers putting finishing touches on the first phase of the towers

By Vision Reporter
THE National Social Security Fund (NSSF) board is satisfied with the progress on the construction works of its Pension Towers in Nakasero.
“As a board, we are happy with the speed and quality of the work executed.

We are satisfied and impressed by the design and quality of the work,” Vincent Ssekonno, the board chairman, said during an appraisal tour of the project recently.

Henry Ssentoogo, the lead consultant, said the project will boost the supply of modern commercial rental space once complete. The demand for rental space is growing, but with limited supply.

“Low investment in the sector is responsible for the high rental rates in Kampala and if left unabated, will be a disincentive to investors coming to do business in Uganda,” Ssentoogo noted.

He pointed out that modern commercial office space will encourage investors into the country.

Ssentoogo said the Pension Towers will bring onto the market what will be Uganda’s “most modern building in the city.”

The gigantic structure initiated in 2000 is promising to add colour to Kampala’s skyline.

The three-tower building will provide 59,413 square metres of office space.
One tower will have 25 floors, while two others will have eight floors each.
It will also have four basements with parking capacity for 500 cars.

It will also have two podium levels for shopping malls, restaurants and conference facilities.

Ssentoogo said the space in Pension Towers will be equivalent to Crested Towers, Uganda House, Sheraton Hotel and Charm Towers combined. Workers House, also owned by NSSF, has 15,000 square metres of office space and accommodates 150 cars in its parking space.

“In a lay man’s terms, there are four Workers Houses in the Pension Towers project,” said Ssekoono.
The board also inspected civil works in the upmarket residential area of Mbuya Hill where the fund is constructing six luxury apartments. The apartments will be ready for sale in July.

The second phase of the project with 16 units of apartments in the same area will commence in October.

Ssekoono said NSSF will also build 3,000 housing units for middle-and-high income earners on its 563 acres of land in Lubowa.

He said plans were underway to build another 5,000 housing units in Temangalo starting in 2012.

[phinomenon]

This is cutting egde architecture, big up to richard and his board at nssf.

[Kenguy]

Originally Posted by phinomenon

This is cutting egde architecture, big up to richard and his board at nssf.

It will definitely change Nakasero.

[u.g boy]

Pics from mid 2011 (sorry they are old )

[Kinyakankick]

Great tower. Hope kampala gets more and more. A beautiful skyline is developing

[keithbas]

NSSF constructs Uganda’s tallest tower
Publish Date: May 23, 2012

NSSF MD Richard Byarugaba displaying the architectural design of the tower. Photo by Nicholas Oneal
By David Mugabe

Construction works of the NSSF new designed sh260 billion pensions tower will commence in August 2012 after full evaluation of the three final bidding Chinese companies and works are expected to end in August 2015.

"It will be an ultra-modern an intelligent building comprising 3 towers," said Richard Byarugaba, NSSF chief adding that the total cost will be about sh260 billion while the tallest tower will have 25 stories making it the tallest building in Kampala.

Works stalled of the pacecraft shaped structure in 2008. Later, Roko Construction Company built the first phase which included construction of four basement levels. But Byarugaba said that Roko that bided to handle the second stage did not qualify.

Byarugaba said the design was changed because NSSF acquired additional land totaling three plots (75,000 square metres) and therefore they had to use the land optimally.

The three final Chinese being evaluated are Sinohydo Corporation, China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation and China Civil Engineering. In total 17 companies bidded for the works including some local Ugandan companies.

Questions however remain on the opportunity and capacity of Ugandan companies to undertake such projects which would have huge spin-offs for the citizenry given that most of the money would be kept in Uganda besides building local capacity.

The first and second towers will have 10 storeys while the third will have 25 storeys and will have four basements with the capacity to pack 500 vehicles.

Workers, according to Byarugaba should expect to earn a 15% annual return from the new designed sh260 billion pensions tower building once completed, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) chief said.

The project is part of the fund's real estate investment project. NSSF also invests in fixed income, treasury bills and bonds and equity. The fund is worth over sh2.5 trillion.

[LADEN]

OMG Kampla skyline is booming! Plus these are not just small towers, they will create a bigger effect on the skyline than the 15-20 floor towers in Luanda.

[u.g boy]

Uganda Business News: NSSF To Launch New Degins For Stalled Projects
First published: 20120522 3:03:59 PM EST Share on twitter


Ultimate Media

In a bid to appropriately invest the workers savings the National Social Security Fund has launched new and better designs for the proposed Pension towers along Lumumba Avenue to attract more returns to workers.

The Executive Director NSSF Richard Byarugaba says the new designs provide for a three tower structure with 25 floors, 75 square meters for rental purposes that will attract 15% interest to be returned to those saving with the fund.

Byaruhaga says because of the changes in design, the budget for the construction has increased from 220 billion to 260 billion shillings to accommodate the more space, better technological modalities like elevators and Air conditioning systems among others.

He revealed that the Fund is focusing at expanding its investment plan which includes construction of 5000 residential units in Temangalo starting by the end of this year while another 3000 units will be constructed for High end occupants.

After the completion of the first phase of the Pension Towers that started in 2008, NSSF has embarked on the procurement process of contractors to continue with the construction works expected to be completed by August 2015.

[u.g boy]

Chinese firms vie for NSSF works
Business

THURSDAY, 24 MAY 2012 20:14 WRITTEN BY SAMSON BARANGA 0 COMMENTS
Three Chinese construction firms have been shortlisted for the final phase of the construction of National Social Security Fund’s Pension Towers on Lumumba Avenue. NSSF managing director Richard Byarugaba said China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation East Africa Limited (CCECC), China National Aero-Technical International Engineering Corporation (CATIC) and Sinohydro Corporation made it to the prequalification stage.

This means that out of the 17 bidders, a Chinese firm will handle the second and last phase of the Shs 260bn project. According to NSSF, already Shs 42.5bn has been spent on the first phase –undertaken by ROKO Construction – which involved construction of four basement levels.

Byarugaba said ROKO also bid for the second phase but lost out. Once complete, the Pension Towers will be an ultra-modern commercial building comprising three towers, with two of them having 10 storeys and the third 25 storeys, making it the tallest building in Uganda.

It will also have basement levels that can park up to 500 cars. The net office space to let will be about 20,000 square metres and retail space 10,000 square metres. Byarugaba says the complex will have recreation facilities like a gymnasium and probably a couple of restaurants and a medium sized hotel.

Byarugaba also talked about the changes in design and the need to fully utilise the newly acquired land. The price of building the towers has since increased from Shs 120bn to Shs 260bn, more than double, due to the expansion of the towers.

“We were going to utilise only one plot but we have since acquired two more, making them three. We are now aiming for 75,000 square metres which is very big and with far better technology compared to the original plan,” he said.

The Pension Towers is one of the projects under NSSF’s Real Estate Investments portfolio, which also includes 5,000 housing units in Temangalo and 3,000 in Lubowa.




Second phase Pension Towers construction to start in August

Construction of the Pension Towers project second phase will begin in August 2012, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Managing Director Richard Byarugaba has announced.

Unveiling the new artistic impression of the building to the media at the project site on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala today, Byarugaba said that construction of the second phase is expected to be completed in August 2015.

He added that the building will be ready for occupation by December 2015.

“The tendering process to identify the contractor for the second phase is in advanced stages with prequalification of 3 contractors to undertake bidding alreadycompleted.

The second phase will involve completion of all outstanding works until the building is ready for occupation,” Byarugaba said.

Construction of Pension Towers started in April 2008 by Roko Construction Ltd.

The first phase, which was completed in January 2012, involved construction of four basement levels and some elements of ground and mezzanine floors.

Pension Towers will be an ultra-modern ‘intelligent’ commercial building comprising 3 towers. The first and second towers will each have 10 storeys. The third tower will have 25 storeys, which will make Pension Towers the tallest building in Kampala.

The building also has four basement levels with parking space of 500 cars. Additional on surface parking will be provided.

Byarugaba said that the total estimated cost of Pension Towers is Ushs 260 billion. The Fund has spent Ushs 42.5 billion on the construction of the first phase.

“This new redesign will enable us to optimally utilise all the land and ensure that the property earns a good return for contributors. We anticipate an annual return of 15%,” Byarugaba said.

Pension Towers is one of the projects under the Fund’s Real Estate Investments portfolio.

Other real estate projects in the pipeline include a 5000 unit affordable residential housing estate in Temangalo and a 3000 unit estate for high income earners in Lubowa.

[Modernafrica2011]

Originally Posted by u.g boy

Uganda Business News: NSSF To Launch New Degins For Stalled Projects
First published: 20120522 3:03:59 PM EST Share on twitter


Ultimate Media

In a bid to appropriately invest the workers savings the National Social Security Fund has launched new and better designs for the proposed Pension towers along Lumumba Avenue to attract more returns to workers.

The Executive Director NSSF Richard Byarugaba says the new designs provide for a three tower structure with 25 floors, 75 square meters for rental purposes that will attract 15% interest to be returned to those saving with the fund.

Byaruhaga says because of the changes in design, the budget for the construction has increased from 220 billion to 260 billion shillings to accommodate the more space, better technological modalities like elevators and Air conditioning systems among others.

He revealed that the Fund is focusing at expanding its investment plan which includes construction of 5000 residential units in Temangalo starting by the end of this year while another 3000 units will be constructed for High end occupants.

After the completion of the first phase of the Pension Towers that started in 2008, NSSF has embarked on the procurement process of contractors to continue with the construction works expected to be completed by August 2015.

Ugandans have heads for good designs! keep it up.

[u.g boy]

Chinese Contractor Wins Historic Shs222bn NSSF Towers Project
By Our Reporter:

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has beaten two other Chinese companies to the lucrative multi-billion tender to complete the long awaited Pension Towers.

CCECC who tendered to construct the intelligent building at Shs222.3 billion, beat China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC) and Sino-Hydro Corporation hands down to the mega-deal- the biggest in the commercial real estate sector.

According to a best evaluated bidder notice, pinned on the NSSF Notice board, the other two firms failed on various aspects of work methods and proposed staff qualifications.

20 companies fromUganda, Kenya, Switzerland, South Africa and China were in the race for the big-ticket project, but only three Chinese companies were picked for the final phase.

Roko Construction that constructed the first phase of the project and the name behind a number of big-ticket projects in Kampala did not make it to the final round.

Tight Race

According to reliable information obtained by The Red Pepper, even though CCECC price of Shs222.3 billion was slightly higher than that of the other two competitors, CCECC who has a rich construction experience on the African continent emerged victorious because “their bid showed that they knew what they were doing.”

The source intimated to us that in a probable haste to cut down costs, the other two bidders had opted to use less qualified people and rudimentary work methods and in some case proposing unrealistically low timelines.

For example CATIC proposed to use grade 25 reinforced concrete instead of the required grade 35 reinforced concrete. The company also proposed to use rudimentary means of mixing and transporting concrete such as wheel barrows and buckets, instead of the required mixer trucks and cranes.

SinoHydro Corporation on the other hand failed on work methodology. For example, the firm proposed to do curtain walling before the completion of the main concrete frame on which the curtain walling sits. The firm also proposed to fix electrical installation after completion of structural works yet the two are supposed to be carried out concurrently.

Record breaking

Construction of the first phase of Pension Towers which involved construction of four basement levels and some elements of ground and mezzanine floors, started in April 2008 and was completed in January 2012, This phase cost Shs42.5 billion.

Once complete, Pension Towers will be an ultra-modern ‘intelligent’ tri-tower complex. The Central tower comprises of 25 floors while the other two side towers are each ten storeys.

The three towers sit on four basement Floors, one ground floor, one mezzanine floor and one podium floor, making a total of 32 Floors for the taller tower and 17 floors for the short towers, ultimately making the building the biggest and tallest in Kampala.

The building whose surface area is 75,000 m² has 20,000 m2 of net office area. Net parking area is 10,000 square metres and can accommodate up to 500 cars.

The building is said to be bigger than Workers House, Communications House and Crested Towers combined.

Once completed, the building which has been redesigned twice, will have costs Shs264.8 billion shillings, again making it the most
expensive and biggest building structure in modern times.

The building whose cost was originally Shs36 billion had its price increased to Shs120 billion by the NSSF board in 2008. Following NSSF’s acquisition of an adjacent plot on Nakasero Road, the project was again redesigned to include the newly acquired plot, pushing the cost to the current Shs264.8 billion.

At an earlier press conference to reveal the new design, Richard Byarugaba, NSSF Managing defended the new design as being commercially viable.
“The current redesign will enable us to optimally utilise all the land and ensure that the property earns a good return for contributors.

We anticipate an annual return of 15%,” he said. Pension Towers is one of the projects under the Fund’s Real Estate Investments portfolio.

Other real estate projects in the pipeline include a 5000 unit affordable residential housing estate in Temangalo and a 3000 unit estate for high income earners in Lubowa.Experts have also defended the project saying that it will bridge the supply gap in the sky-high priced commercial rent sector.

Renowned architect William Henry Ssentoogo, a Senior Partner with Ssentoogo&Partners said thatthe building would significantly “bring rental costs as well asaddress the supply gap.”Then board chairman, Mr Vincent Ssekoono, said that increased demand for modern office space in the city centre meant that the fund would make more returns.

[u.g boy]

Chinese firm to build NSSF house
Publish Date: Aug 04, 2012

NSSF boss Richard Byarugaba
newvision
By Vision Reporter

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has beaten two other Chinese companies to the lucrative multi-billion tender to construct the second phase of the long awaited Pension Towers.

CCECC who tendered to construct the intelligent building at sh222.3b, beat China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC) and Sino-Hydro Corporation.

According to an evaluated bidder notice pinned on the NSSF noticeboard, the other two firms failed on various aspects of work methods and proposed staff qualifications. For example, CATIC proposed to use grade 25 reinforced concrete instead of the required grade 35 reinforced concrete.

Sino-Hydro Corporation on the other, hand failed on work method. They proposed to do curtain walling before the completion of the main concrete frame, on which the curtain walling sits.

The firm also proposed to fix electrical installation after completion of structural works yet the two are to be done concurrently.

A total of 20 companies from Uganda, Kenya, Switzerland, South Africa and China picked the bids, but only 17 responded and three Chinese companies were picked.

Roko Construction which built the first phase, did not make the cut.

Construction of the first phase of the Pension Towers which involved construction of four basement levels and some elements of ground and mezzanine floors, started in April 2008 and was completed in January 2012, This phase cost sh42.5b.

The second phase consists of construction of three towers. The first and second towers will each have 10 storeys while the third tower will have 25 storeys, making Pension Towers the tallest building in Kampala.

The building which has been redesigned twice, will cost sh264.8b, making it the most expensive and biggest building.

“The current redesign will enable us to optimally utilise the land and earn a good return for contributors. We anticipate an annual return of 15%,” Byarugaba told journalists during the unveiling of the new design, mid this year.

Pension Towers is one of the projects under the Fund’s Real Estate Investments portfolio. Other real estate projects in the pipeline include a 5000 unit affordable residential housing estate in Temangalo and a 3,000 unit estate for high income earners in Lubowa.

Impact on commercial rent
Experts have billed the project as a game changer in the sky-rocketing commercial rent charges, which are attributed to years of unstable investments into modern commercial real estate development.

During a tour of the project last year William Henry Ssentoogo, a Senior Partner with Ssentoogo & Partners said that lack of modern and affordable office spaces is one of the reasons why Kenya, continues to out-compete Uganda as a regional business hub.

“You have no idea by how much the Ugandan economy would benefit from hosting some of these huge multinationals. However, we can bring down significantly our rental costs as we address the supply gap. We need to see organisations and if need be, government, injecting money into huge commercial and rental projects such as Pension Towers,” he said.

[u.g boy]

Update

[sanity2]

man i remember the day when i used to school in nakasero during kindergarten. 1995 to 1997