VCon Construction, a subsidiary of the Ruparelia Group, has officially handed over a newly completed Faculty of Engineering and Technology and a 500-bed student hostel to the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s expansion into science and engineering education.
The handover ceremony took place in June 2025 at the university’s Mbale campus, just under two years after the groundbreaking in August 2023. The project was financed through a USD 13.5 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), guaranteed by the Government of Uganda, and reflects the country’s broader prioritization of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) infrastructure development.
Engineering a Future-Ready Campus
Built by VCon with Symbion Consulting Group as technical advisors, the new faculty block will host academic programs in civil, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. According to Assoc. Prof. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda, Rector of IUIU, the infrastructure—now IUIU’s ninth faculty—will pave the way for professional engineering training in a university that already draws students from over 25 countries.
“The facility was completed in record time and is aligned with our goal of becoming a center for scientific and technological excellence in the region,” said Gyagenda, noting that accreditation processes are ongoing. The university expects to admit its first cohort of engineering students by August 2026.
A Government-Endorsed Investment in Science and Innovation
Representing the Ugandan government, Ambassador Nusura Tiperu, Uganda’s envoy to Turkiye, emphasized the state’s strategic realignment toward what she termed “ATMs”—Agriculture, Technology & Innovation, and Mining.
“Commissioning this Engineering and Technology block fulfills one of the government’s core priorities,” Tiperu said. “With state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, it will be a catalyst for industrial transformation and innovation.”
A Win for VCon and the Ruparelia Group
The project marks a major public-sector milestone for VCon Construction, which began as an in-house contractor for the Ruparelia Group’s real estate empire but has evolved into one of Uganda’s leading construction companies. The firm is already known for delivering landmark properties such as Kingdom Kampala Mall, Tagore Living, and Bukoto Living.
“We are proud to have delivered this project within the agreed timeline and budget,” said Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, Chairman of the Ruparelia Group. “This is a demonstration of our technical capacity and commitment to quality. We believe this facility will enhance educational access and development in Eastern Uganda.”
At the time of contract signing in 2023, Dr. Ruparelia had noted that VCon was handling over 11 concurrent projects, underlining its growing technical and operational muscle.
Strategic Expansion and Future Outlook
The new faculty is just one piece of a much broader master plan. IUIU’s long-term vision includes the development of additional faculties such as law, medicine, and hospitality; recreational infrastructure like a stadium and shopping complex; and green belts for sustainability.
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With Uganda’s youth bulge and the growing demand for practical, industry-aligned education, IUIU’s investment in engineering education is timely. The project also aligns with the National Development Plan III (NDP III) which emphasizes infrastructure-led development and industrialization.
Quick Facts:
Client: Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)
Contractor: VCon Construction Limited (Ruparelia Group)
Consultant: Symbion Consulting Group
Funder: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Loan Value: USD 13.5 million (Gov’t guaranteed)
Duration: ~22 months (Aug 2023 – June 2025)
Capacity: Faculty of Engineering + 500-bed hostel
Expected First Intake: August 2026
This handover not only marks a construction success story but also signals Uganda’s increasing resolve to match physical infrastructure with educational ambition—laying foundations not just of buildings, but of future-ready minds.
