Government injects UGX 21 b
Makerere University’s main building, the ” Ivory Tower” will soon be demolished and reconstructed into a state of the art structure.
The 79-year-old Ivory tower lost its significant outlook in 2020 after a razing fire destroyed it leaving nothing to be desired.
The building is supposed to be the face of the University appearing on postage stamps, postcards, advertising boards, academic journals and national currency, as has been over the years. The university authorities predict all works including demolishion, rebuilding and refurbishing will be complete by September 8, 2022, before the centennial celebrations.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe , the University Vice Chancellor, the building was handed over the building to Excel Construction Company on Monday this week. He says Excel Construction Company quoted Shillings 20.5 Billion, which is close to their own estimate of about Shillings 21 Billion.
Once complete ,the the interior redesign is intended to accommodate modern facilities like lifts,fire escape routes with functional hydrants and facilities for disabled among others. However, the exterior design for the new main building will remain intact.
Government injects UGX 21 b
Government has injected 21 billion shillings into the project following a directive from Cabinet to the Ministry of Finance, this was after the University released it as an estimate.
Nawangwe says the University is planning to launch a fundraiser among alumni and well-wishers to raise money for refurbishing. He notes that when the main building was gutted by fire, only the Master Card Foundation raised US$1 Million which was put to aiding recovery from the fire.
He adds that while the 20.5 billion is sufficient for the reconstruction, there would be a need for over Shillings 4Billion for furnishing the new structure.
