Bedbugs, unsanitary conditions welcome students for new semester at Makerere University

Far from speculation that the university wouldn’t open until after the presidential elections in February, it was the contrary as students started trickling into Makerere early Saturday following a six-week hiatus from studies. However, activity at the various halls of residence is picking up slowly unlike the opening days of previous semesters.

At Nkrumah hall, few students have so far arrived, reflecting the mood of uncertainty that has been apparent on social media regarding the true opening date. It is the same story at the nearby Mitchell, Africa and Livingston halls.

At University Hall, home to the current guild president Bala David, the numbers are slightly higher as numerous vehicles dropping students are parked in the yard dotted with white marabou stork droppings. The sanitation at various halls is largely wanting.

At Nkrumah, bathroom facilities are in dire need of a facelift. The shower heads and taps are still broken. The sinks are coated with thick dust and unsightly stains indicating that they haven’t been cleaned since students broke off for holidays. The situation is not saved by bedbugs which continue to plague the hall, making resident students’ lives unbearable. However, workers in the Custodian’s office have promised to conduct a hall-wide bedbug extermination exercise this Monday. Sanitation aside, faculties which have perennially suffered from student congestion issues have received a lifeline after the commencement of major construction undertakings.

At the Mwai Kibaki Faculty of Economics and Management, construction works which had for decades stalled at the site that was set to host the Bank of Uganda under President Obote’s regime have resumed – thanks to a million-dollar financial injection from the Mwai Kibaki Foundation. It is the same story at the SWASA grounds, after another multi million-dollar loan from the African Development Bank.

Tarmacking of Nkrumah hall’s parking yard which commenced last semester has also been completed. This promises to be an exciting semester for some yet uncertain for others. Elections of new student leaders at the university will be coinciding with national presidential elections.