Canteens at Mary Stuart Hall at Makerere University are yet to be reopened as the university closes for end of semester one holidays.

The canteens were closed in May this year following a fire outbreak that damaged part of the oldest girls’ hostel at the university.

Following the closure of the previous canteens the administration of the hall sent out applications for anyone interested in taking up the new canteens. The bid was made and a top bidder was eventually picked. However, he wanted the position where the former canteens were, right near the entrance to the hall.

But the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor William Bazeyo said that he does not want the canteens near the entrance because of a lot of congestion. He also said that they need to avoid a similar situation just in case of another fire outbreak. “We don't want to incur expenses of having to cover so many damages. The University spent over fifty million Uganda shillings renovating the place. This included buying new timber, painting and buying new doors for  the three floors that were affected,” Bazeyo said.

Brenda Kabumbuli, the hall warden said, “We thought that we would be in position to reinstate the canteens this semester, however the negotiations with the bidder took longer than expected as he chose the spot the Vice Chancellor was not comfortable with. We eventually had to give in to him, the deal was made and the canteens will be placed on the ground floor of the tower near the entrance and the stair case.”

When asked for the name of the bidder, she said that he was not comfortable with his identity being disclosed.

 This was the first time Mary Stuart Hall was damaged by fire since its construction in 1953. It was said that the fire might have been caused by a short circuit in either Justus' Canteen or that of Francis, both previous owners of the canteens.

Ahumuza Yvonne, the hall chairlady said, “We received many complaints from residents this semester but at least this will be all over, the residents won't have to go to Lumumba or Complex halls just to get a few snacks.”

 Tashobya Cecilia, a student of Community Psychology and resident of Mary Stuart said that this time she hopes they are not false promises like they have been all through the semester. “Every time we asked the custodian she would say next week, next week until the semester eventually ended,” she lamented.