Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has handed over Lumumba Hall (site) to the Contractor-M/S National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), to kick-start the renovation and overhaul project.
NEC is the commercial arm of the Ministry of Defence /Uganda Defence Forces for producing goods and services that are beneficial to the Defence Forces and the general public.
While handing over the site on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Prof. Nawangwe thanked the Government of Uganda and the United States Government for providing the funds to renovate the hall and donating the Hall of Residence as an Independence gift to Uganda, respectively.
The Government of Uganda is funding the renovation of Lumumba Hall to the tune of UGX 9 billion.
The construction process which has commenced with the handover of the site is expected to be completed in 12 months.
Nawangwe said Lumumba is currently the biggest and newest Hall of Residence.
“There have been no major renovations since it was constructed and this overhaul is meant to bring it back to life,” he told journalists.
The General Manager of NEC Construction Works and Engineering Limited, Eng. Brian Buhanda, received the site on behalf of the contractor.
UPDF Engineering Brigade earlier undertook the construction of the Shs7bn Makerere University Perimeter Wall.
Buhanda said the contractor is, likewise, ready to restore Lumumba Hall to its original status or even make it better.
The Acting Director, Estates and Works Directorate (EWD), Eng. Darius Muwanguzi, said although the overhaul aims to restore the plumbing, electrical systems, flooring, window fittings and other amenities, the structure is still strong.
Lumumba Hall, which accommodates about 752 students, was built in the late 1960s and officially opened in 1971.
It was named after Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of then-Zaire.
The handover ceremony was attended by the Dean of Students; Winifred Kabumbuli, the Manager of Procurement and Disposal, Paul Agaba, the Chief Security Officer, ACP Omara Cyrus Samson and officials from the Office of the Vice Chancellor, among others.
Credit: Mak News