‘Makerere Main Building to Be Ready by July’

Four years after it was gutted by fire, Makerere University’s iconic building (main administration block), also named as the ‘Ivory Tower’ is expected to be fully up to the skies again by July this year.

This information was revealed by the university’s vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, in an interview with a native publication, who says that contractors are working around the clock to deliver by mid-year as they promised, given that the material required for construction is imported in time and on course.

Nawangwe has also revealed that most of the structural works have been done as per the plan.

In 2021, the university’s deputy vice chancellor in charge of academic affairs, Prof Umar Kakumba revealed that the architectural plan was to be maintained.

“We had to draw the original architectural designs so the physical appearance [of the reconstructed building] will remain the same as it was before the fire,” he said.

In September 2020, a devastating fire swept through the historic structure. A joint report from the Criminal Investigations Department and the Ministry of Works attributed the mysterious fire to a short circuit caused by a malfunctioning electrical system.

Subsequently, the government earmarked Shillings 21 billion for the restoration of the venerable edifice.

Its initial construction commenced in 1938, funded by various entities, including regional governments, the Uganda protectorate government, and numerous individuals.