KAMPALA – The Education Minister Janet Museveni has said the Makerere University main building fire is not just a tragic for the university but the country at large.
She made the remarks while visiting the fire scene on Sunday, September 20, 2020.
According to Ms Museveni, investigations into the cause of the fire have begun and then they shall start the process of rebuilding the Ivory Tower.
“For us who believe in God, we know that everything works out for our good. This is a chance for Makerere to be rebuilt, not just buildings but the culture, the morals of the people and everything that pertains to our prestigious university,” she said.
The fire, according to the Deputy 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.
The entire right hand side of the building that houses offices for the Finance Department, University secretary’s office, deputy vice chancellor administration and finance, central registry where , audit offices, pension offices, salary offices and human resource office were also burnt.
Addressing journalits at the site, the University Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe said the fire had been seen a few minutes after it started however it could not be stopped.
“The first fire trucks failed to put out the fire because they had short horses that could not spray long distances. By the time fire trucks with cranes and long horses arrived, the fire had already spread to nearly the entire right side of the building,” he said.
Nawangwe further revealed that the main building shall be restored to it’s historic state in the shortest time possible.
“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,”
