Chartis Uganda Moves to A Modern Home
The 2,000m2 concrete block has a coffee Marmoran wall finish and comprises three levels and a rooftop staff and customers’ entertainment cafeteria, a parking basement with a motor vehicle inspection and valuation centre. The main contractor was responsible for sourcing specified materials and products from various countries to meet the stringent quality standards demanded by the client.
Innovative products
Chartis Uganda, has through innovation, created such unique products as micro-insurance that is taking insurance to the masses who would have otherwise not afford it. Over the last three years, the company has rolled onto the Ugandan market, unique products that include directors and office liability, pension trustees’ liability, travel sabotage and terrorism insurance, hospital cash and most recently kidnap and ransom insurance.
The company last year increased its premium turnover to an impressive Ush29billion (US$15 million), a sign that Uganda continues to embrace the company’s track record of efficiency in settling claims, underwriting service and product innovation. Tax contribution also increased to Ush2b (US$ 1 million).
In yet another mark of industrial leadership and commitment to the Ugandan market, Chartis Uganda last week officially opened their new US $5million (USh10Billion) home to their clientele. The modern building in the leafy serene Nakasero suburb is on plot 24A Akii Bua Road, opposite Emin Pasha Hotel and next to Ericsson Uganda offices.
Chartis offers an unrivalled global footprint with products across one of the world’s largest, most sophisticated and most successful commercial and personal insurance platforms. It had a combined statutory surplus of US$32.1Billion worldwide and US $49.9Billion in revenues at the end of 2008.
Peter Flint, Chartis Africa, chief executive officer, said the modern building, would allow Chartis Uganda to continue offering, excellent service, integrity, product innovation and affordable protection to citizens and assets.
Chartis Uganda started operations in Jinja in 1961.The office was structured as an agency office of America life Insurance company (ALICO) the life subsidiary of American International Group(AIG) Inc. in 1967, the office was moved to Kampala by 1967, the Kampala office was also serving as the regional office for Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.
In 1970, the Uganda American Insurance company Ltd was formed with 60% Government of Uganda shareholding while 40% was owned by ALICO. This shareholding arrangement was changed in 1973 with ALICO taking a 51% while the government remained with 49%.
This status remained until 1992 when the NRM government in its policy of privatization of state enterprise transferred its stake in the company to AIG Inc. In December 1998, the name of the company changed to AIG Uganda Ltd and last year November, the company was rebranded to Chartis Uganda Company Ltd.
Chartis Uganda, is the country’s largest insurance provider and by close of 2008, possessed Ush16Billion in net liquid assets and paid over Ush11billion in claims. The company also boasted of over Ush20Billion in free cash. It is this strong liquidity that underpins the company’s quick and efficient settlement of claims.
Chartis Uganda building was constructed under the workmanship of Seyani Brothers and Company Ltd. The company understands their clients business, protects their interests, is dedicated, reliable and serves with integrity. The company has expertise extending from complete design to conventional construction of commercial, industrial, residential, hotels and lodges as well as all types of institutional buildings.
Over the years the company has enjoyed a journey of excellence on its way to being recognized as one of the leading construction companies in East Africa. Coupled with its slogan of “we build dreams into reality” and its philosophy of delivering quality buildings, the company has managed to successfully contract an array of breath-taking projects that have left an indelible mark on Uganda’s landscape.
The projects include ABACUS Parental Drugs Ltd in Mukono, Para Safari lodge, Kakira Sugar Works, Msc Building of Warid Telecom in Bugolobi, Barclays Plaza on Jinja road in Kampala, and DFID Uganda among others. Currently, they are reconstructing the Golf Course View Towers in Kampala and Chobe Safari Lodge. Seyani Brothers and Co were the main contractors of the new state of the art office for Chartis Uganda Insurance inc. Ltd alongside the entire project team.
Project Team:
Main Contractor:
Seyani Brothers & Company Ltd
Client:
Chartis Uganda
Electrical and Electronics Engineer:
Patronics Ltd
