The outgoing Director, Estates and Works Department (EWD)-Eng. Fred Nuwagaba has today Thursday, 30th November 2017 handed over office to his newly-appointed counterpart Eng. Christina Kakeeto. The brief handover ceremony was held at the EWD Offices, Makerere University and witnessed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo, University Bursar-Mr. Augustine Tamale, Manager Records and Information, Human Resources Directorate (HRD)-Mr. Ssanyu Lawrence, who represented the Acting Director-Mrs. Dorothy Sennoga Zake, Mr. Patrick Akonyet-Internal Audit as well as staff from EWD.

In his handover speech, Eng. Nuwagaba thanked the University Management and EWD staff for all the support rendered to him throughout his tenure, “I have had a lot of achievements but it would not have been possible without your support,” he emphasised.

Some of the critical achievements highlighted by the outgoing Director included: successful development of the University Infrastructure Master plan for the Main Campus, Mulago and Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK); Increasing the teaching and learning space by 15,000square metres, which was way above the 10,000square metres target envisaged by the Mak Strategic Plan 2008/2018; Instituting controlled access at all Makerere gates which has generated approximately UGX 20million in revenue per month over the last six months; total rehabilitation of the University Road Network; managing loss through introduction of metering units for water and electricity at household level, among others.

Eng. Nuwagaba however pointed out some projects that need to be fast tracked such as; completion of decorative works and reopening of the Main Gate, renovation of old buildings such as the first Administration block at CCE for purposes of academic tourism, implementing the outdoor advertising and campus beautification project, recruitment of senior staff to strengthen the EWD team, completing the digitisation of all physical infrastructure and instituting biometric access to Makerere buildings.

In his remarks, Prof. William Bazeyo congratulated Eng. Nuwagaba upon all the projects completed throughout his tenure. “Thank you for the very detailed handover report whose summary you just presented to us. I am satisfied with it and particularly happy that there is an Infrastructure Development Master plan for the University. You have laid a good foundation for the incoming Director,” he noted.

He also urged the EWD staff present at the ceremony to accord the incoming Director all the support she needs, noting that, “when the Director fails, you all fail. Just as the outgoing Director said that he succeeded because of your backing, I urge you to give the incoming Director the same support,” urged Prof. Bazeyo.

In her acceptance speech, Eng. Christina Kakeeto thanked the DVCFA for his wise counsel and thanked Eng. Fred Nuwagaba for his detailed handover report. “I will continue to rely on Fred as I familiarise myself with all EWD’s operations so please, don’t tire whenever I have to consult you” she said, further adding “I am happy to be here working with all of you. It is a big task but I am looking forward to taking the next steps and I think it is going to be fun.”

Eng. Christina Kakeeto is a BSc Civil Engineering graduate of Makerere University. She also holds an MSc in Strengthening & Maintenance of Civil Engineering Structures from the University of Leeds and an MBA (Construction & Real Estate) from the University of Reading both in the UK. She is a registered Member with the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) and a Corporate Member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE). She brings extensive exposure in real estate development appraisal and strategy from both the private sector and government parastatals.

Article by Public Relations Office