Makerere University fire report recommends for electrical installations

By Francis Lubega

28^th January 2021

Cabinet has received the report into the fire outbreak at Makerere University Main Building in September last year and said that it will consider its recommendations.

The report recommends that electrical installations in old buildings of Makerere University should be revamped and that the annual maintenance budget of the Estates and Works Department be increased to enable the department carryout preventive maintenance on buildings in the University.

The report also proposes that two electricians with at least an Ordinary Diploma in Electrical Engineering and installations permits be recruited and that a registered Electrical Engineer should be recruited for the Estates and Works Department, at management level.

The report further says that the University should ensure that all CCTV connections in the buildings are fully functional and monitored in a central surveillance room at all times.

The report also calls for the police Fire Brigade to beef up its capacity to effectively and efficiently respond to fires and that a firefighting truck is permanently stationed at Makerere University.

According to the ICT Minister Judith Nabakooba, Government has also been advised to enhance the capacity of the National Building Review Board to monitor buildings across the country for timely detection of deterioration.