Critical Records Damaged in Makerere University fire

Important records and lots of valuable items have been obliterated in the fire outbreak that was ignited on Makerere University’s main building, in Kampala Uganda.

Police have already started investigating the cause of the fire outbreak that has shocked the students, staff, and alumni of the giant university.

Police believe the fire that started in the wee hours of Sunday, started from the roof spreading to floors that house both records and finance departments.

The Burnt Building Hosted Administrative Offices, and Student Records

This building, besides housing a good number of administrative offices, it holds student records. The basement is full of archive files spanning the whole history of the institution.

“A lot of property has been destroyed. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the fire,” a police statement reads.

The University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has already promised that it won’t take long for the building to be fully replenished.

“We will restore the building to its historic state in the shortest time possible.”

“It is a very dark morning for Makerere University. Our iconic Main Administration Building caught fire and the destruction is unbelievable,” Prof Nawangwe said in a tweet.

The First lady who doubles as the Minister of Education, Ms. Janet Museveni visited the scene.

“This morning, I visited Makerere University Main Building (Ivory Tower) which caught fire under unknown circumstances. This is tragic, not just for the university but the country,” tweeted the Minister of Education.

“Investigations into the cause of the fire have begun and then we shall start the process of rebuilding the Ivory Tower,” assured the First Lady.

The Building was  Makerere’s eye-catching feature for decades

With its one of a kind 20th Century British architecture, the main building has been Makerere’s eye-catching feature for decades.

According to the British Hansard, the building’s construction was funded by the Colonial Development bourse but 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. It was completed in 1941 under the leadership of Mr. George C. Turner, 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 fire brigade is on ground. Everyone is trying their best. The fire is heavy and sprouting from the right side of the Building. The fire flames are heavy coming through right side of the roof which has sunk in. We all need to pray for the Ivory Tower. pic.twitter.com/BTlL7CrvDS

— Makerere University (@MakerereU) September 19, 2020

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