Makerere University Holdings Limited (Mak Holdings) in collaboration with the University Management is hosting the Makerere University Property Investor Conference on Tuesday 5th December 2017, to engage national, regional and international property development stakeholders (financiers, developers and advisors and among others) in order to market University properties and projects.

Starting at 8:30am at Serena Hotel Kampala, the Conference presents us with a platform to present to Investors in Property Development, national and international partners the opportunities that we have.

To improve her financial position and the nature and extent of the services offered by the University to its students and personnel, Makerere University Council established Mak Holdings in 2014, as her corporate entrepreneurial and investment arm mandated to manage all her economic interests. Mak Holdings Board which is chaired Mr. Charles Mbire consists of Seven (7) members from private and public sectors as well as the University.

In collaboration with Council, the Mak Holdings Board embarked on the journey to effectively utilize Makerere University’s land assets motivated by the following:

• To unlock value, generate benefits and income for the University;
• To contribute to the University’s long-term ambition of financial sustainability; and
• To ultimately change Uganda’s higher education financing for generations to come.

Consequently, Mak Holdings undertook feasibility study and after its finalization, the following has been prioritized;

1. The development of additional facilities for the University; and
2. The commercialization of land through commercial property development of the University’s underutilized and/or unoccupied land to unlock its value and generate income.

In both instances, property development is to be undertaken by means of private sector participation and investment. This is because Makerere University (and by extension Mak Holdings) lacks or does not wish to commit its own financial resources to undertake the development of each Project and does not wish to incur capital investment commitments or other financial commitments (current and/or future) in relation to the development and procurement of any Project; the Makerere University (and by extension Mak Holdings) wishes to leverage the value of each Project Site and private sector expertise and innovation.

The Projects comprise:

• Project 1: Conference Centre and 3-Star Hotel at the current Makerere University Guest House
• Project 2: 5 Star Luxury Hotel, Commercial Centre and Upmarket Apartments – Kololo
• Project 3: Gated Community and Upmarket Apartments – Makindye
• Project 4: Student Accommodation at Makerere University Main Campus
• Project 5: Student Centre at Makerere University Main Campus among others.

The expectation is that any participation by private sector in the projects outlined above shall take the form of a Development Lease – the letting of the relevant Project Site by Mak Holdings to a Private Sector Party who will conclude a long term commercial lease with Mak Holdings with a view to undertaking the development (designing, financing, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance) of the relevant Project for its own account.

Through the Makerere University Property Investor Conference, we will hook partners with a vision, a long-term outlook, and the best team to deliver on the Project with financial capacity and experience.