KAMPALA, 30 September 2024 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have inaugurated a new eco-friendly, multi-million-dollar joint office complex on Mbuya Hill, Kampala, marking a significant milestone in their partnership to serve vulnerable communities in Uganda.
FBW Group has led an international team that has delivered new eco-friendly headquarters in Uganda for two major United Nations agencies.
The leading architecture and engineering firm was appointed to deliver the new combined office in the capital Kampala to house the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The World Food Programme (WFP).
The construction of the multi-million-dollar project on the 2.6-acre site in Mbuya is now complete and the development has been officially handed over.
The two organisation’s 350 staff will share the new premises and its facilities. FBW provided full in-house design services and acted as project lead.
FWB Group, which has offices in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, has a strong track record of work delivering projects for international agencies in the region, including the United Nations (UN).
UNICEF is responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. WFP is the food-assistance branch of the UN and is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation.
FBW’s team worked to create the four-storey office building which includes shared meeting rooms and conference facilities for both organisations.
Sustainability is at the heart of the development, with designers making use of natural ventilation and daylight. The building has been designed to save 20 per cent on energy use, water consumption and material-used in the building.
This affords it an EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certificate from the IFC-World Bank, a global standard for green building. The building has also been constructed using locally available materials.
The international team led by FBW was made up of Orbit Design, based in Thailand, providing interior designs; landscaping expert Landmark Studio from South Africa and Mace YMR, from Kampala, appointed as quantity surveyor on the scheme.
FBW has also worked on the project with WFP engineers and architects based in Rome and UNICEF’s New York-based architects and engineers.
FBW Group won the contract through an international open procurement process.
Stuart Harley, FBW’s director of operations, who is based in the group’s Kampala headquarters, said: “The new office development brings together two UN major organisations under one roof, and we’re delighted to have worked with both UNICEF and WFP on this major project for them in Uganda.
“A strong international team has delivered a building that has sustainability at its heart, works within the local landscape and caters for the needs of both these organisations and their staffs.”
He added: “Over a quarter of a century FBW Group has worked with a range of international organisations in Africa, including helping develop facilities for the UN in Tanzania.”
“Many of our present clients are international health and research organisations, bringing first-world specialist facilities to Africa.”
Abdirahman Meygag, WFP’s country director in Uganda, said: “This new eco-friendly office demonstrates WFP’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the well-being of our employees, and the strength of partnership.”
Munir Safieldin, UNICEF representative to Uganda, added. “This new climate-smart office building is more than just a workspace; it is a symbol of our commitment to building a sustainable future for the next generation.
“By investing in eco-friendly infrastructure, we are demonstrating to the children of today that their future matters. This building embodies our responsibility to protect not only the most vulnerable, but also the environment they will inherit.”
Note to editors:
FBW, which has recruited some of the top talent in architecture, design and engineering in East Africa, offers a wide range of in-house professional building and technical services.
They include pre-design services, development consultancy, building appraisals and condition surveys, project management, architecture, civil and structural engineering, MEP engineering, telecommunication engineering, and other building consultancy services.
The major player in the region’s construction and development sector was founded in 1994 by UK and Dutch architects and engineers.
FBW has built a strong track record in supporting British-based organisations to deliver international standards in East Africa.
For more information on FBW Group and its work please visit www.fbwgroup.com