The Estates and Works Department (EWD) has embarked on Phase 2 of renovation of sanitary facilities in the University. The renovation works will be carried out by Block Technical Services, the Contractor, who officially received the site at an event in Livingstone Hall on 29th April 2013. The event was attended by the Dean of Students, Cyriaco Kabagambe, Hall Wardens, the Guild President Ivan Bwowe, and officials from EWD.
This phase, targeting the School of Law, Africa Hall, Livingstone Hall, Mary Stuart Hall and University Hall, will last 9 months at a cost of 1.6 billion shillings. It will involve overhaul of toilet facilities to replace the current pedestal (sitting) ones with the more hygienic squatting toilets. The metallic piping system will also be replaced with polypropylene rubber, which is rust-free, among other works. The Dean of Students asked the Contractor to focus on high quality work, befitting of an international University, like Makerere. “We do not want to see any shoddy works. We need quality workmanship right from the start to finish. Please remember that we are an international university,” he emphasized.
“In some of these lavatories, the floors have been eaten away, causing stagnation of water. The Contractor is expected to address this. We are also looking forward to replacing the current taps with water saving ones. We have observed that some users leave the water running. The new taps will require pressing for the water to flow and they will automatically turn themselves off after a few seconds. This will eliminate the massive wastage,” explained Darius Muwanguzi, the Assistant Estates Manager. “We will continue sensitization efforts for proper usage of facilities especially in the halls of residence,” he added.
The Wardens asked the Contractor to pay attention to the peculiarities of each hall of residence and also fix modern and long-lasting fittings, like flashing systems that use a pedal as opposed to a handle.
Phase 1 of these renovations works was carried out in the residential halls of Nsibirwa, Nkrumah, Mitchell, Complex, Lumumba and part of University Hall. It also extended to CHUSS, CAES, Physics Department and EASLIS, last year.
The concept for Phase 3, according to Muwanguzi, is yet to be developed subject to the availability of funds; although the need is evident. The Director Estates, Fred Nuwagaba, was grateful to the University Management for prioritizing sanitation across the university and asked for continued support of EWD’s work. 

By Marion Alina