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Dark Spots a Priority in Mak-SHARP Lighting

Published

12 years ago

on

May 6, 2014

By

Mark Wamai

A sample of solar powered Street lights to be installed by SHARP Electronics at Makerere University Main Campus

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The Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVC F/A), Dr. Barnabas Nawangwe, officially handed over the site to SHARP Electronics; the company that will install solar street lighting around the Makerere University Main Campus. Priority will be given to the key streets, like University Road and dark spots around CoVAB, CEES, MTSIFA and the Chemistry Department, CoNAS before rolling out to other parts of the University. “Violent attacks on our students have been a major concern especially in these dark spots. Some of our students leave campus late in the night after lectures or using the Library facility. We are grateful to SHARP Electronics for this initiative and believe that our collaboration will be of mutual benefit since you will run adverts on the LED screens to be installed along with the lights,” said the DVC F/A.

Sample Solat Street Lighting as installed by SHARP Electronics along University Road, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda A total of 120 lights will be installed under this project. The MD, SHARP Electronics, Mr. Patrick Katto clarified that some of the tree branches in areas where light poles are to be installed will be pruned to prevent shadows from obstructing the solar powered lights. These high-tech lights from the U.S.A cost approximately 15m shillings each, inclusive of installation costs and insurance. They have a life-span of 20years, 10 of which are under warranty.

According to the Director Estates and Works Eng. Fred Nuwagaba, the lights will be professionally installed. “One such light (Pictured Right) was installed outside the Main building for demonstration purposes and has been working seamlessly since May 2012. As you drive along University Road at night, you cannot miss how brightly it illuminates the area,” he emphasized.

SHARP Electronics will start preparatory works for erection of the first batch of lights within two weeks.

The light boxes to be installed on these lights will carry adverts and various messages including those from the University Management, the Students’ Guild, and facts about Makerere University. In addition, up to 10 LED screens will be strategically positioned on campus to carry the same information as the light boxes. These efforts will be coordinated by the Estates and Works Department and the Public Relations Office.

By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office