Kampala — THE construction of the new parliamentary chambers has delayed due to lack of a land title for the plot where the Parliament is situated.

The deputy clerk, Kaija Kwamya, told MPs on the legal affairs committee on Wednesday that the structural design also took long to be completed.

"Like most government institutions, Parliament has no land title. It has been sitting on a block of land comprising Radio Uganda among others," Kaija explained.

"The commission has been pursuing the Uganda Land Commission since February to issue a title without success."

The commission was appearing before the committee to defend its proposed sh108b non-wage and sh16.8b development budgets for the next financial year.

Finance director Gautama Okello, however, said the title would be issued in two weeks.

"I am constantly in touch with the land commission. We have already demarcated the boundaries and very soon we will have the title."

Nakasongola MP Peter Nyombi said the revelation was an embarrassment to the Government.

He suggested that the Government establishes an inventory for its properties.

The Sergeant-at-Arms, Ahmed Kagoye, said the works ministry had started testing soil samples for the project.

The three-storey chamber worth sh104b, will be constructed in the northern parking space facing Kampala Serena Hotel.

The new chambers are expected to accommodate up to 500 MPs, the leader of opposition in Parliament, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, said.

The commission was not certain when the construction would be completed.

"Completion is subject to availability of funds. Given the unstable global economy, it is possible construction could go on until 2011," said Guma Gumisiriza, a commissioner.

Sh11b has been proposed in the next budget to kick-start the project, which is expected to begin this year.

Kaija explained that the construction would be done in phases, starting with the construction of a multi-storey underground parking yard to accommodate 316 cars.