A UGX 7billion project undertaken by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to tarmac and light up Makerere University roads as well as construct the new main gate has officially been handed over to the university.

Outgoing KCCA Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi made the handover 31^st October at a function held near Makerere main gate. Also, the main gate which has been under construction for over a year was officially opened. 

The completion of the main gate was a culmination of a three-year infrastructure development project at the university which saw the tarmacking of 3.6km of university roads, construction of Makerere College administration block, installing flood lights along most campus roads, rebuilding the tennis court at Africa hall and repairing several parking lots.

The project was a result of a trade-off in which the university surrendered its prime land along Makerere hill road to KCCA as it sought to expand the highway. Instead of compensating the university, the two institutions agreed that KCCA improves the infrastructure, especially roads that were full of potholes.

Makerere Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe was full of praise for KCCA for doing a good job.

"We are proud of what we have achieved through our partnership with KCCA and we shall try to maintain the infrastructure put in place," said the VC. He revealed that this is the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken since the university began in 1922.

"This is one of the best main gates I have seen all over the world; it is a symbol of our pride," the VC said before appreciating KCCA's Jennifer Musisi for transforming Kampala roads including the suburbs.  He said whoever doesn't see her achievements must be visually impaired.

Although the project was valued at slightly over UGX 7billion, what has been achieved is less.

"So far, we have spent about 6.9billion, there are a few things we haven't done like paving the parking lot at the university mosque and constructing toilets," the Executive Director revealed, and promised that KCCA will live up to its obligation.

She said the expansion of Makerere hill road and the university roads were part of the Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP 2) which was funded by the World Bank.

"We have capacity as Ugandans to develop our own country, it is divisions that set us back," said Musisi who has spent a big part of her seven years at KCCA bickering with the Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago. She challenged the university administration to mobilize and engage its alumni to contribute towards developing their university. She said many former students of Makerere University, if mobilized, can paint all the halls of residence. She revealed that she has received a lot of money from well-wishers to improve Kampala city.

Makerere students’ guild was represented by Martin's Kato who hailed KCCA especially for constructing pavements that have lessened accidents around the campus. Also present at the function was Kawempe division chairman, Dr. Emmanuel Sserunjogi who appealed for more cooperation between the university and his local council.