The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali, has today received a completed Church House from Cementers, the building’s Contractor declaring it “Ready for Occupancy.”
Church House is a 16-floor commercial office building located on Plot 34 on Kampala Road, directly opposite the Bank of Uganda.
Ntagali, beaming with excitement told the media while quoting Philippians 1.6 that “He who began this good work is the One who has brought it to completion.”
Equity Bank will move their head office operations to the first four floors and will be the anchor tenant in the building.
During the 23rd Provincial Assembly, held on 25th August 2016, the Church of Uganda resolved to name the building “Janani Luwum Church House,” in honour of Archbishop Janani Luwum who whole-heartedly embraced the project during his three-year tenure as Archbishop in the early 1970’s.
The concept for Church House as a commercial real estate enterprise began in 1965 and was originally to be built on Shimoni Road. When the Bank of Uganda proposed to take over the Shimoni Road site, that property was exchanged for Plot 34 on Kampala Road in 1972. The Church House Company was registered in 1971 as a Private Limited Company.
The significant devaluation of the Ugandan shilling during the 1970’s and 1980’s was a major setback until 2010 when the Trustees of the Church of Uganda entered into a loan agreement with Equity Bank to fund the almost $17 million construction cost.
The Church of Uganda agreed to raise 30% of the construction cost, and Equity Bank financed the balance through a $10 million loan and a 5 billion shilling loan. The loan had a two-year grace period during which time the Church of Uganda paid only the interest on the loan.
Construction began in December 2010 with an estimated timeline for completion by December 2012. There were construction delays, as well as an 18-month conflict among service providers that stalled construction progress. The conflict was resolved in July 2014.
Janani Luwum Church House will be officially launched on 24th August during the 24th Provincial Assembly meeting of the Church of Uganda.
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