BY: ATWIINE RHONET AND OCHOLA ISAAC
The signature of Makerere University has caught fire leaving invaluable property and records shut down.
According to Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, the fire is believed to have started at midnight from the roof spreading to floors that house both records and finance departments. Fire and rescue services responded and managed to contain its spread, however, several offices were affected.
“The Police Fire Brigade is trying to put out the fire which has now covered almost half of the roof. It’s a trying moment for us,” the university tweeted.
On top of that, also offices of records, Finance, Vice Chancellor's, Audit Administration and the basement full of archive files spanking the whole University history are all destroyed.
According to the university, efforts to save the left-wing of the building which houses the Human Resources and staff records of the university were being defeated by the highly powerful flames whose blaze was increased by the wooden furnishings.
Julius Katerega, the institution's guild president says, " the face of Makerere University has been destroyed because those were one of the most important centers of our university".
However, Barnabus Nawangwe, the Makerere University Vice-Chancellor advice and promise all the student, staff, and the public that the ivory tower is to be restored as soon as possible.
" It is a very dark morning for Makerere University. Our iconic Main Administration Building caught fire and the destruction is unbelievable. But we are determined to restore the building to its historic state in the shortest time possible. " He tweeted.
Currently, the fire has come as Uganda is on wait for today's presidential speech on the COVID-19 situation. Parents and students are eagerly hoping to have education institutions open.
About the main building
According to Makerere University, the Main Administration Building was completed in 1941 under the leadership of George C. Turner, the Principal, Makerere College (1939-46).
Earlier in 1938, the duke of Gloucester, representing His Majesty King George VI had cut the first sod for the construction of the building on 3rd November.
The Main Building with its unique 20th-century British architecture is easily Makerere’s most recognizable symbol and was constructed with funds from the Colonial Development hours.
The building’s construction was greatly delayed by a scarcity of resources to purchase materials as Britain and her allies grappled with the expenses of World War II.
As a result, some of the carpentry work had to be done on-site at the Technical College.
The Principal then focused on turning Makerere into a University College and establishing buildings. As a result both the St. Francis and St. Augustine Chapels were completed in the same year 1941 and by 1944, plans for the establishment of a School of Civil Engineering at Makerere were already being discussed by the British House of Common.
