Kiryandongo District leaders have officially launched the construction of a multi-million-shilling modern staff canteen, aimed at improving employee welfare and enhancing service delivery across the local government.

The project, valued at 482 million Ugandan shillings, was unveiled during a launch event attended by senior district officials and stakeholders. The facility will be constructed in phased stages, with the first phase — covering the sub-structure, structure and roofing — funded at 199 million shillings. The phased approach allows for meticulous quality control while ensuring continued progress towards completion and resource mobilization.

According to Anselm Kyaligonza, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Kiryandongo, concerns about staff welfare and the loss of productive time during lunch breaks prompted the district council to prioritize the establishment of a dedicated canteen.

“We recognized that many staff were spending considerable time searching for food during lunch hours,” Kyaligonza said. “This prompted the council to approve the canteen project as a way of saving time and ensuring efficient, effective public service delivery.”

Kyaligonza explained that the new facility will be more than a lunch hall. In addition to serving district staff, the canteen will be made available to the public for meetings, functions and other community activities, further enhancing its value to residents.

Edith Aliguma Adyeri, the District Chairperson, praised the council for championing the initiative and approving the necessary budget.

“Once the welfare of staff is improved, their morale and performance will rise, which will in turn improve service delivery across the entire district,” Aliguma stated, underscoring the link between worker well-being and public sector performance.

Also speaking at the launch, Jonathan Akweteireho, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), welcomed the project’s potential to reduce operational costs associated with external restaurants and related service provision within the district’s activities.

“This establishment will help cut down the cost of outsourcing meals and other services,” he said.

The canteen’s construction is being funded by the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant (DDEG) from the Ministry of Finance — a central government funding mechanism designed to support local government infrastructure development.

Once fully completed, the facility is expected to serve as a central hub not only for staff but also for community engagement, while boosting overall organizational efficiency and welfare in Kiryandongo District.