Government sells Makerere University to investor

 

Mr Museveni (L) with Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete (c) in Arusha, Tanzania. This is when Mr Kikwete was still the Minister of Foreign affairs. Mr Museveni has enjoyed good relations with Tanzania. COURTESY PHOTO  

By ABDU KIYAGA & RICHARD WANAMBWA

In Summary

If implemented, the more than 30,000 students who are currently pursuing their studies at the country’s oldest institution of learning will not report for the 2013/2014 academic year.

The 90- year-old institution of higher learning is no more.
This is after the government gave out the 321 acres of land housing Makerere University to an investor to construct a satellite city.

According to documents that have been leaked to this newspaper, the land will be awarded to the investor by the end of July.

“As per our discussions since last year, you are here by awarded Makerere University to develop this area beginning of July. You are expected to complete the development by the end of 2015,” a March 20 letter to Nivesemu Investments reads in part.

According to the details of the document, the investor will build several buildings to accommodate different government offices beginning with those belonging to the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The city will help save the blighted city centre from congestion. The investor is also expected to set up a state -of –the- art airstrip.

Prof Ddumba in an interview with Daily Monitor at Makerere University yesterday. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE 

If implemented, the more than 30,000 students who are currently pursuing their studies at the country’s oldest institution of learning will not report for the 2013/2014 academic year.

This means that they will have to look for placements in other universities.

It also implies that Makerere is the latest education institution on the list of those whose land has been parceled out to investors.

Negotiations
Highly placed sources that preferred to speak to this newspaper on condition of anonymity said the negotiations between government and the investor started last year.

The development comes days after British broadcaster-British Broadcasting Corporation has just finished holding the first ever Science festival in Africa in which the university showcased the different innovations that have been carried out by the students.

Whoever is reading this story should have it in mind that today is April 1, a day worldly marked as Fools Day (until mid-day).