Makerere University management has requested it’s over 300,000 alumni spread across the world, current students, parents and former parents, friends of Makerere, organizations, and other people with an attachment to the university to contribute to the restoration of the iconic main building which burnt down on September 20.
The call was made by members of management led by the Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe on Thursday afternoon during the launch of platforms on which willing individuals and organizations can offer monetary contributions to the restoration of the Ivory Tower.
Prof Nawangwe says that as they wait for reports on the cause of the fire and quantifying of requirements for the restoration of the iconic building, many people seemed eager to offer support, which is why they also decided to launch the fundraiser.
The University recently received US$1 Million an equivalent of 3.7 billion Shillings from the Mastercard Foundation which is to support the business continuity as the university reopens for final year students.
According to the VC, many people had started sending money on personal accounts of university administrators which could lead to accountability queries thus the need to give out a formal mechanism of collecting the funds.
They have now obtained a merchant code (542803) and opened up two accounts in Stanbic Bank; 9030017778608 for contributions in US Dollars and 9030017778535 for contributions in Uganda Shillings. Prof. Nawangwe notes that they are still looking forward to getting more platforms that people can use to make contributions.
Meanwhile, Dr Tanga Odoi the chairman Makerere University Convocation in line with the proposal, has also expressed interest in the process promising to mobilize all former students of the University to take heed at the call.
