Constructed to ease communication for the colonial government, the building was established towards independence. It was under the East African Common Services, a company which was responsible for post offices, railways and telephones. For a long time, Post Office and BCU buildings were the biggest buildings in Mbale City
CCFU’s efforts to safeguard and promote built and natural heritage
CCFU has established a heritage trust – the Heritage Conservation Trust of Uganda to champion the safeguarding of built heritage, cultivate pride in our heritage and help citizens and foreign visitors alike experience the “spirit” of a city, community and nation; and to protect our natural heritage. Having a dedicated Trust accelerates our efforts to protect historic sites in the country.
In 2015, we embarked on a programme whose ultimate objective is to protect and promote historic buildings and sites in Uganda. As a first step, maps of historic properties in Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja and Fort Portal were produced. This was followed by a training event for owners and managers of historic buildings and support for the development of information materials on selected properties. The Foundation has also worked with Mengo Hospital and the Ham Mukasa family in a bid to celebrate specific historic buildings in Kampala (these appear on the historic buildings map of Kampala).
CCFU is also engaging with KCCA to promulgate an Ordinance to protect Historic Properties in Kampala. This work complements our active engagement with the International National Trusts Organisation.
In 2018, with support from the European Union, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) recognised and unveiled commemorative plaques on notable historical sites in Kampala, Jinja and Entebbe. These events were preceded by a training of photographers and researchers on how to document historical buildings and seminars on the value and contribution of historical buildings and sites in Jinja, Entebbe and Kampala.
Three outputs including an executive book (available at 180,000 shs), maps and a mobile app (for android and IOS users) were launched.
In 2022, CCFU documented cultural heritage sites at risk from climate change in the Rwenzori and Alur regions and produced booklets. Heritage sites in these regions were signposted, including planting trees and grass on them. In Pakwach, a gabion wall was constructed at the Wang-Lei heritage site to protect is from being washed by the flooding River Nile