School of Law Building officially opened by Hon. Minister
The new Makerere University School of Law Building was officially opened on 18th December, 2024 by the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni. She laid the foundation stone for this building on 17th May 2022.
The building, fully funded by the Government of Uganda to a tune UGX7.3bn, is a three-storied structure with several state-of-the-art facilities including lecture theatres, tutorial and seminar rooms, a library, state-of-the-art Moot Court room, a cafeteria, lactation room and staff offices. This modern infrastructure is going to greatly enhance and provide a conducive teaching and learning environment for both staff and students. The construction works were undertaken by M/S CK Associates as Contractors and Symbion as the Consultants.
On arrival, the Minister was welcomed by the Chairperson Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara accompanied by the University management team including the Vice Chancellor, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe; the Deputy Vice Chancellor/F&A, Professor Henry Alinaitwe; the University Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Kiranda; the Academic Registrar, Professor Mukadasi Buyinza; Ag. Principal, School of Law, Assoc. Professor Ronald Naluwairo among others.
In her remarks, Mrs. Lorna Magara extended a warm welcome to Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports. Mrs. Magara said, ‘your presence here today Maama, is a testament of your unwavering and steadfast support for Makerere University and highlights the tangible impact of your leadership in advancing Uganda’s education sector, particularly at Makerere University’. She noted that the building will provide critical support for practical legal education.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe also welcomed the Minister to Makerere University noting that, ‘this is a joyful day when we are witnessing a bumper harvest in infrastructure development at this great institution’.
Thanking the Minister for her unwavering support to Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor said, ‘from the time you took over the Office of Minister of Education and Sports, the Higher Education Sector and Makerere University in particular has transformed tremendously. Most notable is the infrastructure revolution at Makerere. On several occasions, you have come to Makerere to lay the foundations for new buildings and to open completed buildings, including our iconic Main Administration Building.
He noted that before the new School of Law building, it was appalling that a place that had trained the entire judiciary of Uganda was in such a dilapidated state.
Prof. Nawangwe pledged the total commitment of the University to work with the Government of Uganda in the struggle to emancipate the people from poverty through research and production of highly skilled and patriotic graduates, innovators and entrepreneurs.
In her remarks, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni expressed her joy in coming to Makerere University, more especially on a day to mark another effort to provide quality education through provision of infrastructure at Uganda’s oldest University.
She said, ‘It is one thing to break ground for new infrastructure and another thing to complete. I vividly remember the ground breaking ceremony at the School of Law. I am therefore very pleased to be here today to commission the same’.
Quoting the bible, Hon. Kataaha Museveni reminded the congregation about the great rebuilder, Nehemiah, who had mobilised his countrymen to rebuild Jerusalem. She noted that with rebuilding, there is restoration of dignity that comes to an institution both physically and spiritually.
The minister saluted the Council and Management for the dedication to the rebuilding of the University expressing confidence that as they rebuild physically, the character of our young people shouldn’t be forgotten.
After commissioning the School of Law Building, Hon. Kataaha Museveni also opened the newly renovated student residence, Lumumba Hall and laid a foundation stone for the School of Graduate Studies Building, gifted to Makerere by Tororo Cement.
