Makerere University has re-opened its iconic Ivory Tower in its restored glory.
The Main Administration Building whose groundbreaking happened on 28th November 1938, was gutted by fire in September 2020.
It has been re-opened today by President Museveni following its restoration and reconstruction.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, while speaking during the re-opening ceremony held at the Freedom Square, thanked the government of Uganda for restoring and reconstructing the Main building, Lumumba Hall and the Makerere Law School.
“Your Excellency, and Maama Janet Museveni, the 20th of September was probably the saddest day in the history of Makerere University. In the early morning of that fateful day, our iconic main administration building was gutted by fire. When I arrived at the scene with my wife Susan a few minutes after midnight, it seemed like the end of the World,” he said.
“That night, it seemed like all Makerere, including the then Chancellor Prof. Ezra Suruma and Council Chair Mrs. Lorna Magara woke up and surrounded their beloved iconic building. I recall the sad faces of the Makerere community and the brevity of some of our staff, particularly my PA, Mr. Gordon Murangira and Prof. Eria Hisali who braved the heat and led groups of volunteers to rescue some important items from the burning building, including the Chancellor’s mace, academic regalia and the University seal.”
Prof Nawangwe said he prayed hard to God with his wife Susan and Prof. Suruma to save the building.
“Maybe that is why only the offices of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor survived the fire. In the book of Isaiah 43:2, we read: When you pass through the rivers they shall not overflow you when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch. Maama Janet visited the site early the following day and comforted us,” noted Prof Nawangwe.
He added: “When Prof. Alinaitwe and I came to Cabinet to explain the cause of the fire, you guided Cabinet to immediately approve the release of all the UGX 21 billion that was required to reconstruct. Your Excellency and Maama, this afternoon, you have just opened the reconstructed iconic Main Administration Building of Makerere University, designed and built by Ugandan architects and engineers trained by Makerere University and funded entirely by the government of Uganda.”
He thanked the Minister of Education and First Lady Maama Janet Museveni and the entire Government for wiping their tears and bringing new smiles to their faces.
“Thank you for personally coming to open this reconstructed historic building. The ceremony of opening the reconstructed Main Building which you have just presided over brings to an end the anxiety among Makerere staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders by seeing their icon of higher education in this region once again standing tall, beautiful and proud and announcing to the World: ‘We Build For the Future’ once again.”
On her part, Lorna Magara, the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, said that their immediate focus has been on enhancing the teaching, learning, and research systems.
“However, we also recognise the University’s critical role as a hub for consistent and intentional transformative conversations,” noted Magara who doubles as the Principal of Vine International Christian Academy.
She said these conversations are a bedrock for mentorship, including mindset change and passing on the older generation’s values to the younger generation.
“We are advancing your vision of a KYOTO under the Young and Emerging Leaders Programme recently inaugurated by Mama Janet Museveni.”
“Our elders, grandparents, and parents passed on their values and norms and shared priceless experiences through conversations around fireplaces or at family gatherings. Your Excellency and Maama, we would be greatly honoured to learn from you at a Kyoto.”
She added: “In all our initiatives, we recognise the importance of preserving our history and educating the younger generations about Uganda’s journey. That is why, Mr. President, we have dedicated significant space within the Main Building for a University Museum. This museum will showcase the critical history of both Makerere University and Uganda. Additionally, we recently inaugurated the Mutesa I Royal Museum.”
