Makerere University to get UGX 150m for beautification

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | An outdoor advertising company will pay Makerere University 150 million shillings annually for the next five years in exchange for advertising space at the university.

Prime Media Network limited signed a contract with Makerere University for beautification and maintenance of selected areas at the main campus.

The five-year contract, whose commencement date was 1st October 2019, will come to a close around 2024. In addition to the money, part of the deal is to design and beautify seven roundabouts and the Freedom Square by installing and rehabilitating the metallic fencing rails.

Prime Media will also carry out regular maintenance such as cutting, sweeping, collecting and disposing of cut grass, plant flowers.

The firm is also expected to install power and maintain 150 street lights, provide 60 garden benches and 120 litter bins, as well as provide educational and directional signage.

According to the deal, the company will be required to place solar charging stations with Wi-Fi zones and student sitting shades in reading areas, meet utility costs for water and power for duration of the contract, install advertising tools and billboards in line with values and objectives of the institution.

Companies and institutions will pay the advertising company to have their brands visible at the university, in a deal that will earn the company billions of shillings.

Brutus Kagingo, the Executive Director of the advertising agency says, they are nearing completion of upgrading and beautifying the Freedom Square into a modern 21st-century green space.

“Installation of metallic guardrail along the Freedom Square commenced in July and 80% already completed. We have already embarked on landscaping works, installation of Wi-Fi infrastructure as well as installation of LED lights and Garden Benches with sitting shades,” says Kagingo.

Following the commencement of works in July last year, several students and Makerere University alumni questioned the motive behind the erection of metal bars across the Freedom Square.

On-street lighting, the company says it has installed 50 street poles starting from the Main Gate and that 30 already existing poles were refurbished by replacing the damaged ones.

“A LED lamp sample was approved and several dark spots at the University were identified to install the lights. However, installation was delayed as the requirement by the University to have underground cabling along main streets could not be met because the proposed locations already had existing underground HV [high-voltage] lines and UMEME had advised against excavations in those areas,” reads in part end of year progressive report.

As of August 31st 2019, a total of 80 street lights had been installed in the dark and unsafe spots according to the report.

Eng. Christina Kakeeto, the Director Makerere University Estates and Works unit indicates that overhead cabling/ wiring is not acceptable to Makerere University.

As part of the deal, the firm is expected to install litter dustbins. URN understands that three samples of dustbins were approved by the university authorities and areas for installation of the different types of dustbins identified.

“An order was placed with a supplier in China for manufacturing of the approved litter dustbins and 30 litter bins [one of the three types approved] installed at various locations with high student traffic,” says report.

The company reports to have installed bins at Main Library, Social Sciences Building, student halls of residence including Nkrumah, Nsibirwa, University Hall, Mitchel, Lumumba and Mary Stuart as well as the Guild Canteen.

******

URN