Wednesday, 29th March, 2006
By Steven Candia
New Vision Online
Serena Hotel opens July 11
His Highness Prince Amyn Aga Khan yesterday toured the site of the scenic Kampala Serena Hotel, now undergoing renovation, ahead of its opening on July 11.
He was accompanied by four ministers.
The former Nile Hotel that started with 85 rooms in 1975, has now been upgraded with $30m (about sh55.5b). It will be restyled into a 152-room hotel with a five-star polish and a pan-African flair, transforming it into a world-class hotel.
Speaking shortly after the guided tour, Kampala Serena Hotel chief Mahmud Janmohamed, flanked by general manager Killian Lugwe, said the project was progressing well and it would open in July.
“We have set the opening date for July 11 unless for some unforeseeable delay but we don’t see any delays,” Janmohamed said.
Janmohamed said 70% of the project work had been completed. “Our intention is to make this the finest hotel in East Africa,” he said.
Energy minister Syda Bbumba, tourism, trade and industry minister Daudi Migereko, state ministers Peter Kasenene of privatisation and Okello Oryem of foreign affairs were taken through the picturesque hotel by Janmohamed, Lugwe and Mike Lord, the project architect.
At the end of the 45-minute tour of the six-storey main hotel block that houses the reception area and the rooms, and the health club, the ministers whose shoes were covered with a fine coat of dust, were impressed.
“Can one enroll now for membership?” Bbumba, who was clearly impressed with the health club, asked Janmohamed.
With most of the work done, Janmohamed said, the hotel is set for the much-anticipated Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting in 2007.
The hotel management, he said, had embarked on a local recruitment drive and training of workers to meet the standards.
“All is set and we are looking forward to it, to make our contribution towards making the stay of the VIPs while in Kampala memorable,” he said.
At the main hotel block, the prince and the ministers toured the reception area and the lounge but many were left in awe on the second floor when they were ushered into one of the standard rooms. The room is spacious, boasts of an impeccable cream wall finishing, enhanced with dull lights, complete with first-class interior décor, curtains and a thick floor Persian carpet.