Constructed in 1954 with the capacity of 35 bedrooms, two bars, two restaurants, two conference halls and a coffee bar, the government owned hotel has also been serving as the biggest training facility for UHTTI students, for hands-on skills.
The
management of Jinja city’s based Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training
Institute-UHTTI, on Friday informed the general public that they have resolved to
demolish the famous Crested Crane Hotel, on grounds that it is no longer structurally
sound for human habitation.
Constructed in
1954 with the capacity of 35 bedrooms, two bars, two restaurants, two conference
halls and a coffee bar, the government owned hotel has been serving as the
biggest training facility for UHTTI students, who are get hands-on
skills throughout the course of their study period.
UHTTI managers say that an independent audit report by the then Jinja municipal
council authorities in 2006 indicated that, the structure if not demolished
would collapse in the next 20 years. They later
hired Arch Designs to evaluate the suitability of the structures in 2013 and
2016, and were advised to demolish the structure in 10
years or risk watching it collapse on the occupants.
All the
reports indicated that the foundation of the hotel was erected using
substandard structures, with a life expectancy of an estimated 50 years and it
was incapable of supporting the structure further. The reports further indicated
that the pillars had rusted away and could no longer support the super
structure, coupled with broken water pipe systems.
On her part,
the principal of UHTTI, Miriam Namutosi says that, they had attempted to
preserve the hotel structure for heritage and future tourism purposes, however,
their efforts to renovate it were futile since old cracks kept on reappearing,
which was risking the safety wellbeing of students, staff and guests as well.
Namutosi says
that, the structure will be demolished in August, 2023 and they have secured a 20
Billion Shilling World Bank loan, which will be used to erect a super
structure comprising syndicate rooms, administration block, language
laboratories, computer laboratories and other facilities in a period of
two years.
She says
that they have already secured rental space at the neighboring YMCA conference
center, where they will accommodate classrooms, a minimal hotel space and administration
block for a period of two years, awaiting completion of their multipurpose
facility.
Namutosi adds
that, they have partnered with other neighboring hotels in Jinja city, where
students will have access to hands on skills in standard facilities, marching
with international standards.
//cue in: “there is a… //
Cue out…it is
degenerating.”//
She reveals that the bidding
processes to secure a contractor will be concluded early next month, but the architectural
designs will maintain the real image of the old Crested Crane Hotel, which is slated to be demolished.
Namutosi notes that they earlier on secured World Bank funding of 16 Billion Shillings, which is being used to facilitate
ongoing construction works of a hotel structure comprising of 84 hotel rooms,
twin bedrooms, double rooms, a lounge and other modern facilities, making it
rated at the level of a four star, with the ability to expose students to
international hospitality standards.
She says that this hotel
facility will be completed in December, 2023, but it shall be assessed for a period
of one year, before clearance for human habitation.
Meanwhile, Joel Kafuko, a
veteran politician in Jinja city says that, crested crane hotel is one of the
ancient buildings with several historical art features, and demolishing it
will rob the country of pre-independence heritage.
Kafuko has advised
government to devise means of safeguarding heritage facilities like the ancient buildings in Jinja city and other areas, with significant historical
background to the country, which can serve as tourism attractions.
