Construction of the Service Uganda Centre in Tororo District has reached 20%, just two months after works commenced, with the government projecting that the facility will be completed by November 26, 2026.
The project, being implemented by the Ministry of Public Service in partnership with the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U), is being constructed by Hebron Investments Limited at the former Posta Uganda premises.
Once operational, the centre is expected to provide a one-stop location for a wide range of government services, saving residents of the Bukedi Sub-region the time and costs associated with travelling to major towns such as Mbale, Jinja and Kampala to access public services.
Speaking during an inspection of the construction site, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service Catherine Bitarakwate said the facility will significantly improve citizens’ access to government services.
“For example, immigration, ICT services, pensions, salaries, information on agriculture and immunisation, land acquisition, land registration — you name it. All will be here,” Bitarakwate said.
She explained that the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance efficiency in public service delivery by bringing essential services closer to citizens.
The Tororo facility is the third Service Uganda Centre to be established under the programme spearheaded by NITA-U, the government agency responsible for driving digital transformation across public institutions.
NITA-U Executive Director Dr. Hatwib Mugasa said the agency is working with Posta Uganda to transform existing post office infrastructure into modern digital service centres.
“NITA Uganda has worked with Posta Uganda to revamp the post offices and set up digital screens that will display all government services available within government agencies,” Dr. Mugasa said.
The redevelopment of the former Posta Uganda premises had sparked speculation that employees could lose their jobs. However, the Ministry of Public Service dismissed the claims, assuring workers that the project would not affect their employment.
“Let us disregard the rumours that Posta Uganda was sold and that people are going to lose their jobs. At the end of the construction, the original workers of Posta Uganda will continue doing their work,” Bitarakwate said.
Local leaders have welcomed the project, describing it as a timely intervention that will ease access to government services while creating employment opportunities in the district.
Tororo Municipality Deputy Mayor Beatrice Achola said residents have for years incurred high transport costs while travelling to other towns to access government services.
“Our people have been travelling to Mbale, Jinja and Kampala for services, which is costly. This has come at the right time. It will also create employment opportunities for our people,” Achola said.
The Tororo Service Uganda Centre is among 19 centres approved by Cabinet in 2021 for construction across various cities and districts.
The centres are part of the government’s digital transformation agenda aimed at integrating multiple public services under one roof, improving efficiency and ensuring citizens can access essential services closer to where they live.