Makerere University’s historic Main Building, famously known as the Ivory Tower, is set to reopen next month after nearly four years of reconstruction efforts following a devastating fire in 2020.
The official reopening is scheduled for October 2, 2024, and will be attended by President Yoweri Museveni and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni, according to Ritah Namisango, the university’s principal communications officer.
“The president will open it,” Namisango confirmed in a brief phone interview.
Namisango stated that the restoration is 97 percent complete, with the remaining 3 percent focused on final touches and interior installations. She emphasized that the building is essentially ready for occupation. While the exterior has been restored to its original grandeur, significant changes have been made to the interior to reflect modern designs and safety standards.
Notably, traditional wooden floors have been replaced with tiles and terrazzo, as wood was identified as a contributing factor to the fire’s rapid spread. Enhanced accessibility features, including pathways for persons with disabilities and a restored elevator, have also been incorporated.
Additional improvements include the installation of more durable concrete walls and the replacement of the plywood office dividers. The building’s iconic bell, which rings at the top of each hour, has also been restored.
The fire that gutted the building occurred in September 2020, with investigations revealing that a short circuit from a faulty electrical system was the cause. Following the fire, the government allocated Shs 21 billion for the building’s restoration. Originally constructed in 1938, the Main Building was funded through contributions from regional governments and individuals.
The reconstruction project, which initially aimed for completion by the university’s centenary celebrations in October 2022, experienced delays. Satvinder Saini, director of Excel Construction Ltd., which is overseeing the restoration, attributed these delays to the need for demolishing the unsafe existing structure. The process was extended to preserve some surviving windows and architectural features.
Vicechancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe also noted that the discovery of structural disrepair in the basement, which housed a printing press, necessitated additional reconstruction work. Offices previously housed in the Main Building—including the vice chancellor’s office, the university secretary, and the University Council Room—were relocated to the Frank Kalimuzo CTF 1 building.
While some key offices, such as the Vice Chancellor’s Office and the public relations office, will return to the Main Building, Namisango explained that other offices, like the auditor’s office, will remain at CTF 1 to avoid congestion.
