General
Makerere Infrastructure Master Plan rolls out
Technology Consults (TECO) presented the proposed Makerere University 30 year Master Plan, covering the Main campus, the College of Health Sciences and Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo (MUARIK). This was at a Stakeholders meeting in the Senate Conference Hall on 28th April 2014. The meeting was intended to get input from Makerere University’s constituents including the Colleges, Directorates, Management and also from technocrats based at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). The Master Plan synthesis process has been on-going since 2012.
“With the Master Plan, we hope to improve our service delivery and improve the image of Makerere University. I would like to thank the University Council and Management for approving and supporting this venture. I thank Technology Consultants, for developing the Master Plan. I also thank the Departments of Estates & Works and Planning & Development that have worked with Technology Consultants up to this point. I am aware that the task ahead may not be easy, but each one of us has a role to play and together, we will work to the success of this process,” said the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba- Ssentamu.
According to the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Dr. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University’s last Master Plan was drafted in 1993. “The conditions at that time compared to now were so different. At the moment, we have bigger student numbers, increased academic programmes, a Collegiate system and more campuses. We need a Master Plan that facilitates our agenda to be a research-led university. This Plan is comprehensive and it should ride tandem with the current University Strategic Plan 2008/09–2018/19,” he asserted.
For the Main campus, the Master Plan proposes construction of commercial facilities, hotels, a students’ centre and a perimeter wall. It demarcates green areas and parking slots too. To make room for these facilities, some of the existing structures like the dilapidated buildings behind Lumumba hall and behind the Estates and Works Department, will be demolished. The Guest House will also be replaced with a state-of-the-art hotel. According to the Director Planning, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, “The starting point for the implementation of the Master Plan will be the construction of two centralized lecture facilities; one at the UCB slab (CoBAMS) and the other at the foundation next to CHUSS. We are also looking at putting up a multi-disciplinary complex at CoNAS. Funding for these facilities has already been secured from the African Development Bank (ADB).” These facilities target the big enrolment Colleges including CoBAMS, CHUSS, CEES and CoCIS. Each of these structures will have an overall capacity of 10,000 students in one sitting, and will have lecture theaters that can accommodate 1,000 students.
Looking at Kabanyolo, an area of 650 acres of land, the Master Plan proposes that the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) be relocated to this vast land, to allow for demarcation of areas for agricultural production, agricultural research and a main administration block with lecture rooms. Part of the funding to kick start works at Kabanyolo has also been secured from ADB. “I am glad that the University Management has finally given priority to CAES. We are optimistic that when we shift to Kabanyole, we shall be allowed to be semi-autonomous in the real sense. We would like to grow our centers of excellence,” commented Prof. Elly Sabiti of CAES.
For the College of Health Sciences, CHS, a teaching hospital is proposed at Katalemwa, which currently has 35 acres of bare land. This is expected to broaden the scope of teaching medicine and consequently increase enrolment, according to Dr. Nakayiwa. “The Bwaise quarters is another potential place for CHS to expand,” she added and called on Staff Members to embrace the Master Plan.
In the discussions that followed, participants proposed that the Master Plan be revised to reflect all traffic including pedestrian traffic, usage of space more on the un-leased versus leased land, making provisions for record keeping of students’ submitted dissertations/theses for three years as is required by law, provision for College libraries, bio-gas management, benchmarking from leading universities in the world, and utilization of the unlimited vertical space.
A representative from KCCA, Jacqueline Mali, observed that the Master Plan ought to follow guidelines from Ministry of Lands so avoid conflicting at a later date. In her vote of thanks, Amanda Ngabirano from CEDAT requested the Consultant to “Carry out more consultations with the stakeholders and eliminate generalizations in the Master Plan, on top of streamlining the Vision of the Plan.
The Master Plan will be revised to incorporate some of the proposed amendments before it is approved by Council. More funding for the Master Plan is hoped to be secured through Public Private Partnerships, Government and internally generated funds.
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Makerere University has once again cemented its place as a regional leader in academic excellence after successfully hosting the East African Universities Debate Championships (EAUDC) 2026, welcoming the continent’s brightest young minds for a week of intellectual competition, cultural exchange, and leadership development.
Held from 26th July to 1st August 2026, the championship brought together more than 200 student debaters, adjudicators and delegates from 25 universities across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and other invited institutions, transforming the Ivory Tower into East Africa’s premier arena for ideas, innovation and public discourse.
The week-long tournament featured rigorous British Parliamentary debate rounds, public speaking competitions, adjudication workshops and networking sessions designed to sharpen critical thinking, leadership and persuasive communication. Participants debated contemporary issues ranging from governance and economic transformation to technology, public health, climate change and Africa’s future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor welcomed delegates to Makerere University, emphasizing the institution’s enduring commitment to nurturing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also capable of leading meaningful conversations that shape society. The championship reflected Makerere’s vision of producing graduates who are innovative, analytical and prepared to address regional and global challenges.
Beyond competition, EAUDC 2026 became a celebration of East African unity. Delegates experienced Uganda’s rich cultural heritage through social events, campus tours and cultural showcases that fostered friendships beyond national borders. The interactions reinforced the championship’s belief that dialogue remains one of the strongest foundations for regional integration and peaceful cooperation.
The tournament concluded with an electrifying Grand Finale witnessed by students, alumni, university leaders, invited guests and debate enthusiasts. The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports Hon. Eng. Cuthbert Abigaba represented the Speaker of Parliament as the Guest of Honour. In his remarks he congratulated Makerere University on the successful event and encouraged debate among students.
Prof Sarah Ssali the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs at Makerere University pledged continuous support from the administration towards Makerere Debate Union. Teams demonstrated exceptional research, analytical reasoning and eloquence before a distinguished panel of international adjudicators, bringing to a close one of the most competitive editions of the championship.
The successful hosting of EAUDC 2026 marks another milestone in Makerere University‘s growing reputation as a centre of excellence for debating and public speaking. The event builds on the university’s long-standing tradition of producing outstanding debaters while providing students with opportunities to engage with peers from across the region in meaningful intellectual exchange.
As the championship drew to a close, participants departed Kampala with new friendships, stronger networks and renewed inspiration to continue using debate as a tool for leadership, democratic participation and social transformation.
With the East African chapter successfully concluded, attention now turns to the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship (PAUDC) 2026, where Makerere University will once again represent East Africa on the continental stage.
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