By Spy Uganda
 Kampala: The Head of Public service and secretary to the cabinet, who doubles as the Chairperson of the National Organizing Committee (N.O.C) for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Group of 77 (G-77)+China summits, Ms Lucy Nakyobe conducted a thorough inspection of the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo on Friday. The purpose of her visit was to assess the facility’s readiness for the upcoming 19th NAM & G77 +China Summits scheduled for January 15th-20th and January 21st-23rd, 2024.
As the host venue for these prestigious summits, Speke Resort Convention Centre has been at the forefront of discussions, particularly due to the tight deadline. However, business magnate Sudhir Ruparelia who co-owns the facility with the government of Uganda recently assured all stakeholders that the facility will be completed by January 10th, 2024.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Victoria, Speke Resort Convention Centre stands as a symbol of Uganda’s commitment to hosting the two summits and other international events with grandeur. Ms. Nakyobe, known for her meticulous event planning approach, conducted a comprehensive tour, leaving no detail unchecked to ensure all is set.
Under the guidance of Dr. Sudhir and his team of engineers, Ms. Nakyobe examined every aspect of the facility, ensuring that final preparations were well underway. This visit was a crucial step in confirming the venue’s readiness before world leaders gather for the historic summits.
According to our spies on ground, Ms. Nakyobe nodded in approval of the facilities, envisioning dignitaries engaging in crucial discussions on global issues right here in the Pearl of Africa. The tour extended to various breakout rooms designed for focused discussions on specific topics, ensuring seamless interaction among participants.
As Uganda counts down to the summits, Dr. Sudhir recently revealed that his engineering team is in the final stages of completing tasks such as furniture installations, air conditioning adjustments, and audio-visual equipment setup at the Convention Centre. This significant investment is expected to boost Uganda’s hospitality industry.
Speke Resort Convention Centre boasts various amenities, including a state-of-the-art auditorium with a seating capacity ranging from 3800 to 4400, 12 high-end conference/breakaway meeting rooms, and a restaurant capable of accommodating between 700 and 900 guests.
Integrated into the existing 105-acre lakeside resort complex, which includes Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, the facility offers a total of 40 indoor meeting and banqueting facilities, with a capacity to host 19,000 people, in addition to various outdoor venues.
The complex features 476 accommodation rooms, including 54 presidential suites, supported by three modern kitchens capable of preparing up to 10,000 meals a day. Additional parking space has been acquired, expanding the facility’s parking capacity to 1500 cars.
The success of the 19th NAM & G77 +China Summits will not only reflect on Uganda but also on the entire NAM and G-77 community. Uganda’s chairmanship of these summits, spanning three years for NAM and one year for G77 and China, is expected to provide a significant boost to the economy. This leadership role will serve as a platform to showcase Uganda’s unique tourism and investment opportunities on the global stage.
Founded in 1955 during the Asian-Africa meeting in Bandung, Indonesia, the Non-Aligned Movement emerged as a force advocating for decolonization and unites countries not aligned with either the Eastern or Western power blocs.
See Pictorial As Ms Nakyobe Toured Speke Resort Convention Centre
