The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has been directed to release Shs 21 billion for the reconstruction of the Makerere University Ivory Tower building.
According to Dr Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for Information Communication and Technology (ICT), the directions follow cabinet’s decision and resolution that the fire gutted building be razed down and reconstruct a new one.
“Cabinet decided that the Makerere main building be demolished and rebuilt. We have also directed the Minister of finance to release Shs 21 billion for the reconstruction of this main building,” he said.
In September last year, the country woke up to sad news of fire gutting the Ivory Tower building. According to the University, the fire started on 19 September 2020 destroying the top floor before the second phase which left the left wing housing human resource and records department razed down.
However the committee which investigated the matter alluded the razing of building to old electrical wiring which was more than 30 years.
The committee which comprised staff from the National Building Review Board, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Directorate of Forensic services, the Directorate of Government Analytical Laboratory and the Occupational Safety and Health department of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development however recommended that the University should ensure that all CCTV connections in the buildings are fully functional and monitored in a central surveillance room at all times.
It also recommended that police Fire Brigade to beef up its capacity to effectively and efficiently respond to fires and that a firefighting truck is permanently stationed at Makerere University.
