Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Ezra Suruma has called upon all stakeholders of Makerere University to join the Katikkiro of Buganda Ow’ekitiibwa Charles Peter Mayiga in the Makerere University Run that is scheduled to take place this Sunday 25th March 2018. Addressing journalists on 22nd March 2018, the Chancellor said that the Run is not only geared towards resource mobilisation but it is also a platform for building synergies among stakeholders.

 “The run is part of our efforts for continuous engagement with our stakeholders to appeal to their philanthropic nature to contribute to the Makerere University Endowment Fund and the Students Centre project,” he said.

In the same spirit, the Chancellor appealed to students, staff, alumni and well-wishers of Makerere University to contribute to developments that will benefit future generations of students at the great institution.

“We expect to have 5,000 students, staff, alumni and other well-wishers to participate in the run. Brick by brick we are confident that we shall build the Students Centre that will not only make all our Alumni proud of their Alma Mater but also create a lasting impression on the young generation,” said the Chancellor.
 
According to Mr. Brian Nsubuga Miiro one of the Sports Tutors on the MakRun Technical team, designs for the MakRun2018 routes are already out and runners are expected to tackle 5km, 10km or 15km depending on their endurance. The starting point for all three routes will be the Makerere University Freedom Square. All runners taking part in the MakRun2018 will exit the Campus via the Main Gate, turn right at the Wandegeya junction to YMCA, then onto Buganda Road, cross to Lourdel Road, and take a left to join Yusuf Lule road.

At this point, the 5km runners will proceed to Mulago Roundabout while the 10km and 15km runners will turn right and proceed to the Fairway Hotel junction. 5km runners will proceed to Binaisa Road and at Kubbiri Round about, take a left along Bombo Road and re-enter the University through the Eastern Gate and proceed to the Freedom Square via Nsibirwa Hall and the Main Library.
 
Both the 10km and 15km runners will take the left at onto John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue and then separate at the Upper Kololo Terrace junction, where the 15km runners will turn right. The 10km runners will continue along John Babiha (Acacia) Avenue and at City Oil take a left onto Kira Road and proceed to Mulago Roundabout. At the roundabout they will turn right onto Binaisa Road and follow the rest of the route as the aforementioned 5km runners back to the Freedom Square.

“Then we have the 15km for the giants who will proceed along Upper KololoTerrace, turn left onto Lugogo By-pass, and then turn left onto Kira Road at the junction. They will continue along Kira Road until the Mulago Roundabout where they will follow the rest of the route back to the Freedom Square like their 5km and 10km counterparts” added Mr. Nsubuga.

Makerere University is seeking to raise UGX15billion through the alumni, well-wishers and development partners to construct the Student’s Centre that will enhance the quality of student life and experience. The Centre will serve as a collective place that reflects dynamism of the 21st century student in the digital age. It will be a one stop Student Information centre with a state of the art Auditorium with 2,000 seating capacity and a Wall of Fame.

According to the Director, Planning and Development Department (PDD) Dr. Florence Nakayiwa, the proposed Mak Students Centre will also accommodate Conference facilities, Cafeterias, Internet Kiosk, Memorabilia Shop, Bookshop, Recreational Sports Arena as well as Entertainment and Social amenities.

“The Centre is one of our strategies to create a versatile and holistic graduate of Makerere University that will serve national needs effectively. The auditorium, instructional spaces, banking halls and commercial entities will be the best-equipped and most accessible spaces available to the greater Makerere University community,” she added.
 
“We are calling upon students and former students of Makerere University to support the cause. As much as we have received free tickets from different people, let us also buy tickets to show our willingness to develop our university. The students Centre we are constructing is going to be of our own benefit. It might not benefit us now, but we are building for the future. Our children, brothers, sisters and friends will have to enjoy the fruits we left behind,” said outgoing Guild President, H.E Kato Paul.

On the same day, the Rotary Club of Kampala City Makerere in conjunction with Nakasero Blood Bank has organized a blood donation drive targeting friends and well-wishers (who will be in the Freedom Square, but not run the 5km, 10km or 15km routes) to donate blood in order to save lives.

Article by Public Relations Office