General
Makerere Marshall Plan attracts Top Investors
A number of local and international firms from China, Korea and Uganda have expressed interest in developing Makerere University’s land following a call put out by the University through the media in January 2014. The land, found in different parts of the University estate namely: Main Campus, Katalemwa, Makindye, Bwaise and Kololo, will be developed under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangement, in what has been code named the ‘Makerere University Infrastructure Development Marshall Plan’ covering 11 projects which include;
1. Makerere University Teaching Hospital
2. Makerere University Student Resource Centre
3. Student Hostels at the Main Campus and Kabanyolo
4. Makerere University Hotel and Convention Centre
5. Makerere University Centre for Innovation and Technology Incubation
6. Makerere University perimeter fence and Commercial Buildings
7. Transport Hub
8. Middle Income Apartments
9. Upper Market Apartments
10. Makerere University Centre for Gender and Development Studies
11: Makerere University School of Law
An artistic impression of the proposed Hotel and Convention Centre as part of the Infrastructure Marshall Plan 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda
Top Management speaks out
Commenting about the developments, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu said, “We are very serious about Public Private Partnerships because they are the best way to advance these projects. One of our major resources is land and we shall fully utilize it for all the projects. We would like to start with the perimeter wall, Students’ Centre, and the Hotel as a priority but this will also depend on the interests of the investors.”
“When completed, these projects will save money. We spend a lot on conferences and residences for external examiners, which money can be saved if we have facilities for such activities. About 1billion shillings goes to external examiners annually and another 600m to conferences. We intend to have shopping malls around the perimeter wall to generate more income too,” added the Vice Chancellor.
A Committee, headed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration (DVCFA), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has been set up to see to the successful implementation of the projects. Other members on the Committee include the University Secretary, David Kahundha Muhwezi; the Director, Planning and Development Department (PDD), Dr. Florence Nakayiwa; Assoc. Prof. Anthony Keraali of the College of Engineering Design Art and Technology (CEDAT); the Director Estates and Works Department , Eng. Fred Nuwagaba and a Legal Advisor. Overall guidance for the project will be given by the University Council.
“These developments will protect the land and diversify the University’s income base. The projects will also avail more lecture space for students,” explained DVCFA Prof. Nawangwe.
According to the Director PDD, Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, “Twelve firms have so far responded to the call. These firms are comprised of both building companies and transaction advisors. We are glad that the market is receptive to this call. We have now asked them to undertake feasibility studies of the different projects and report back by September 2014. We are optimistic that ground works will begin as soon as we have all the appropriate processes in place.”
An artistic impression of the proposed Students’ Resource Centre as part of the Infrastructure Marshall Plan 2014, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda
The place of the Master Plan
In April 2014, Makerere University rolled out a University Infrastructure Master plan and sought input from stakeholders. This plan covers the Main campus, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK). “The Marshall Plan is a smaller component of the Master plan. In the Master plan, aspects like zoning, age of buildings, utility distribution, traffic flow and future use of available space are considered; whereas the Marshall plan is only focusing on key building projects as derived from the Master Plan,” clarified Dr. Nakayiwa.
Please see Downloads below for a brief of each proposed project.
By Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Related Articles
Makerere Infrastructure Master plan rolls out
In a vibrant celebration of youth leadership and African unity, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit, an event that brought together high-profile dignitaries, student leaders, and international partners for a powerful dialogue on the future of the continent. The summit, organized by the Guild Presidents Leadership Academy, served as a rallying point for East Africa’s young leaders to confront Africa’s most urgent challenges—on their own terms and with their own solutions.
A Warm Welcome and Reflections on Makerere’s Legacy
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, welcomed the distinguished guests, who included Former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Ruhakana Rugunda, Justice Simon Byabakama, Hon. Mathew Rukikaire, and European Union Deputy Ambassador Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, among others.
In his address, Prof. Nawangwe reflected on Makerere’s deep historical ties to East Africa’s liberation and development movements. He reminded the audience that Makerere University has been a crucible for the continent’s leadership, stating:
“Jomo Kenyatta was the first person to receive a degree from Makerere when, in 1963, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by then Chancellor Julius Nyerere. All freedom fighters in East Africa studied at Makerere.”
Building on this rich history, Prof. Nawangwe affirmed the university’s current mission to tackle pressing continental issues. “Today,” he said, “Makerere is committed to addressing Africa’s challenges—climate change, disease, poverty, food security, conflict resolution, and economic development. But we cannot do this alone.”
He echoed sentiments later shared by the keynote speaker, stressing that Africa must no longer depend on external interventions:
“Foreign agencies will not solve all Africa’s problems. It is our young people who must step forward and lead the change.”
Uhuru Kenyatta: “You Are the Last Line of Defence”
In a keynote address that resonated deeply with the students and delegates in attendance, Former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a bold and urgent call to action for Africa’s youth.
“No one is coming to save us,” Kenyatta declared. “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”
Positioning today’s youth as the heirs of the continent’s freedom fighters, Kenyatta described the current moment as a new “independence era”—not of political liberation, but of economic and intellectual sovereignty. He urged students to think critically about intra-African trade, which currently accounts for less than 2.5% of global commerce, and to advocate for the removal of internal barriers to trade, innovation, and mobility.
“You are the freedom fighters of this generation,” he said. “Universities must be incubators of change, and students must be the trustees of tomorrow’s Africa.”
Pan-Africanism, Leadership, and Action
Uganda’s Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo encouraged students to take up the mantle of Pan-Africanism with unwavering commitment. She acknowledged that while the rhetoric of African unity is inspiring, real progress demands more than words:
“You must embrace the spirit of Pan-Africanism. But it is easy to say these words—the challenge lies in collective implementation.”
She emphasized the importance of action-oriented leadership and urged the youth to harness their creativity, energy, and education for the benefit of the continent.
European Union’s Message: Leadership with Integrity
Representing Team Europe, the EU Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Guillaume Chartrain, gave a passionate speech on the values of authentic leadership, integrity, and inclusive development. He praised Makerere University as a space where “intellectual ambition meets civic responsibility” and emphasized that leadership is not about prestige, but purpose:
“Be a leader because of what you want to be—not because of what you want to have,” he said.
Citing former Makerere alumni such as Julius Nyerere and Wangari Maathai, Chartrain called on students to model courage, resilience, and humility:
“True leadership emerges in moments of loss—when resilience, not triumph, becomes the measure of one’s character.”
The EU, he said, remains committed to supporting youth through programs like Erasmus+, the EU Youth Sounding Board, and partnerships with organizations like Faraja Africa Foundation and Restless Development. These initiatives empower youth not as symbols, but as active participants in shaping policy and governance.
The Legacy Continues
Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of legacy and long-term impact. They challenged young leaders to think not just about the present, but about the systems and institutions they will leave behind. In the words of Former President Kenyatta:
“Leadership is not about the next election. It’s about the next generation.”
The summit ended on a high note, with students invigorated and inspired to lead with purpose. As global support grows less predictable and Africa stands at a crossroads, the message from Makerere was clear: the future of the continent is in the hands of its youth. And as the Guild Leaders’ Summit demonstrated, they are ready.
-
General1 week agoGovernment Sponsorship Undergraduate Admission Lists 2025/26
-
General1 week agoApplications for Admission to Undergraduate Programmes 2025/26 AY
-
Research1 week agoARUA Early-Career Research Fellowships 2025
-
General2 days agoMakerere Alumnus Named 2025–2026 Schwarzman Scholar
-
Computing & IS1 week agoCall For Registration: Azure Cloud Boot Camp 2025