The office, through its transport unit, operates a pool of vehicles to support its activities. The office also assists in the administration of project vehicles and other agency vehicles by way of arranging for their maintenance and insurance, and offers advice on their proper use ensuring that corporate standards are adhered to. Occasionally, the unit assumes custody of vehicles that are temporarily not required for project activities or pending transfer to Government, for purposes of assuring their safety, in addition to arranging for valuations where it has been determined that a given vehicle is to be disposed of.

           

 

UNDP Uganda administers on behalf of its headquarters houses for international staff. Overall, there are 16 housing units conveniently located in the city centre, in the Nakasero area in Kampala city, a walking distance from the main offices of most UN agencies in Kampala. The houses are available for rent by UN staff in various agencies. The units, which were built in 1986, have undergone refurbishment. Consistent with the original objective of providing secure and appropriate housing for staff, the rent applicable is considered competitive in comparison with rates for similar properties in the vicinity.

 

 

The UN enjoys the privilege to dispatch and receive its correspondence in its own bags. In this way, security and speedy transmission of official correspondence are ensured. The office has an internal registry that is responsible for handling the pouch service. The same unit handles pouch materials for other UN agencies, which utilize the pouch service through the country office especially for New York and Geneva. Individual staff may use the service as well, but with prior permission.

 

The office has a unit that deals with accreditation issues including visas, laissez passez, work permits as well as matters involving shipping and custom duty. Uganda is one of the many countries that has allowed UN staff some basic privileges and awarded diplomatic status to senior UN international staff in the country. The unit offers advice on the range of privileges available to staff and works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in getting the privileges accorded.