KAMPALA – The Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has revealed that the main building shall be restored to it’s historic state in the shortest time possible.
A Saturday night fire razed the building.
The fire, according to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigire is believed to have started from the roof spreading to floors that house both records and finance departments at around midnight.
“It is a very dark morning for Makerere University. Our iconic Main Administration Building caught fire and the destruction is unbelievable. But we are determined to restore the building to it’s historic state in the shortest time possible,” Prof. Nawangwe noted via his official social media platforms.
In a related development, Mr. Owoyesigire in a statement said police are actively investigating the cause of the fire outbreak as alot of property has been destroyed.
“Fire and rescue services responded at the scene and managed to contain it’s spread,” he said.
He added that, “investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.”
The Main Building was completed in 1941 under the leadership of Mr. George C. Turner, Principal, Makerere College (1939-46). Earlier in 1938, the Duke of Gloucester, representing His Majesty King George VI had cut the first sod for the construction of the building on November 3.
The Main Building with its unique 20th century British architecture is easily Makerere’s most recognisable symbol and was constructed with funds from the Colonial Development bourse. The building’s construction was greatly delayed by a scarcity of resources to purchase materials as Britain and her allies grappled with the expenses of World War II.
As a result, some of the carpentry work had to be done on-site at the Technical College.
