One of Makerere University’s oldest and most strategically located halls of residence is about to get a major facelift. The university has officially handed over the College of Education and External Studies (CCE) Complex Hall of Residence to the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) for renovation and overhaul works estimated at Shs12 billion.
The government-funded project is expected to be completed within 12 months, and marks the latest in a series of infrastructure works NEC has undertaken at the university — following the construction of the perimeter wall and the renovation of Lumumba and Mary Stuart halls of residence.
A Strategic First Impression
Speaking during the site handover ceremony on Friday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe said the project forms part of the university’s broader push to improve student accommodation and modernise ageing infrastructure.
He noted that CCE Hall occupies a strategic location and often serves as one of the first impressions for visitors entering the campus — making its upgrade all the more important.
Prof. Nawangwe also used the occasion to celebrate local capacity.
“The quality of work done by NEC makes us proud because we can finally say that we have Ugandans who can do the things which we previously depended on foreigners to do,” he said, while thanking the government for funding the project.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the renovations were initiated following a visit by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni, which drew increased attention to the state of the university’s halls of residence.
A Personal Connection for the NEC Boss
For NEC Managing Director Lt. Gen. James Mugira, the project carries personal weight. He recalled attending some of his very first lectures in the CCE complex more than four decades ago.
“Close to 42 years ago, I attended my first lectures in Hall One of the CCE Complex, and my wife was also a resident here. I therefore have every motivation to ensure this project is delivered successfully,” he said.
Quality, Cost and Safety
Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, urged the contractor to stick to the agreed standards on cost, quality, and safety, noting that NEC’s previous projects had earned the university’s confidence in its ability to deliver.
The Principal of the College of Education and External Studies, Prof. Anthony Mugagga, welcomed the renovation, saying the upgraded facility could help attract former residents and alumni back to the university and potentially open up new partnerships.
Dean of Students Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli said the ongoing refurbishment of halls reflected a wider effort to improve student welfare and provide a better learning environment.
Part of a Bigger Plan
The CCE Hall renovation comes amid a broader programme by Makerere University and the government to rehabilitate ageing student accommodation facilities — many of which were built decades ago and have seen limited refurbishment since.
For students, the message is encouraging. With Lumumba and Mary Stuart already upgraded and CCE now in line, the university appears to be steadily working through its backlog of tired, historic halls. If the 12-month timeline holds, a new generation of residents will soon enjoy a modernised version of a facility that has welcomed students — and future generals — for over four decades.
