In 2017, the Leadership placed the management of the Makerere University Health Services under the College of Health Sciences (CHS). This decision coincided with works being undertaken by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makerere University as compensation for the land annexed during expansion of Makerere Hill Road.

The works under the MoU which included resurfacing of roads, parking lots, construction of walkways as well as installation of street lighting within the Main Campus also had a component that catered for renovations at the University Hospital.  

On Tuesday, 23rd January 2018, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. William Bazeyo, accompanied by Director Estates and Works-Eng. Christina Kakeeto, Principal CHS-Dr. Charles Ibingira, Acting Director, Engineering and Technical Services, KCCA-Eng. Justus Akankwasa, Director University Hospital-Dr. Margaret Wandera and other officials from Makerere and KCCA were taken on a guided tour of works completed under Phase I of the hospital renovation by the contractor.

In her remarks, Eng. Christina Kakeeto congratulated the contractor upon successfully completing the works which gave the University Hospital a new paintjob. She however urged the contractor’s representative to take note of all the observations made during the site tour and have them corrected by the next site meeting.

Dr. Margaret Wandera who was all praise for the facelift thanked members of Management and stakeholders present for making time to attend the site inspection. She noted that whereas Phase I had given the buildings a much needed new look, she looked forward to even more improvements in subsequent phases.

The Principal CHS, Dr. Ibingira applauded the Estates and Works Department (EWD) for being on ground to supervise the works and thanked the University Management for allocating funds to the renovations. “We have a lot of faith that the Makerere Administration will give us all the necessary support to continuously remodel this facility until all clinical, fencing, plumbing and other structural needs are met.”

He noted that apart from the structural facelift, a lot of equipment is needed to improve the services of the facility and hoped that the support would be forthcoming.

Eng. Justus Akankwasa in his remarks expressed happiness at once again being at Makerere. “I have a deeply entrenched sense of care for Makerere University as an institution I served for twelve years under the Estates and Works Department” he said, further adding “My career was founded here.”

He thanked Makerere for trusting KCCA to implement all the compensation works under the Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP 2). Under KIIDP 2, KCCA is widening and upgrading roads and drainages in Kampala. It also is easing revenue collection, house and road location.

In his remarks, Prof. William Bazeyo, thanked the contractor for a job well done and tipped him to satisfactorily complete the remaining works, so as to better his chances of being considered for subsequent renovation Phases. He thanked KCCA for all the renovation works undertaken at the Main Campus, noting that, “everyday, I receive an increasing number of requests from parties who want to tour Makerere University, thanks to the attractive facelift by KCCA.”

Prof. Bazeyo challenged the University Hospital leadership to not only focus on the facelift but also the clinical services. “As you are aware, the Staff Health Insurance Scheme is now operational, and if you improve the services here, you will be able to attract the staff and more revenue” he concluded.

Article by Public Relations Office