Amidst the bustling construction of its new building at Makerere University, the Makerere School of Public Health (MakSPH) has proudly inaugurated its state-of-the-art auditorium, marking a significant milestone in its expansion journey.
The current location of the school at Mulago has been grappling with a burgeoning student population exceeding 1,000, leading to a shortage of space for various academic and research endeavors.
Addressing journalists on Friday evening, Professor Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean of the school, expressed her enthusiasm for the new auditorium, highlighting its importance in facilitating conferences and meetings. She noted that the absence of adequate space had previously forced the school to incur significant expenses on external venues for such events.
Professor Wanyenze further revealed plans for the expansion of the building to accommodate research facilities and laboratories. With ongoing research in areas such as air pollution and water and food contamination, the establishment of dedicated laboratories becomes imperative.
The 8-story building and its extension come with a price tag of 10 million US dollars, of which half has been secured through contributions from donors and staff.
Karin Boven, the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda and guest of honor at the inauguration, commended the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in realizing the project. She emphasized the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting education and training in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, underscored the vital role of MakSPH in safeguarding Uganda’s population against health challenges. He praised the foresight of the school’s leadership in expanding infrastructure to address emerging health threats.
Highlighting the remarkable initiative of staff members who contributed from their own pockets towards the building’s construction, Nawangwe called upon the Ugandan Parliament to fulfill its pledge in supporting the project.
Notable donors include the Rockefeller Foundation, the United States government through USAID, James Hopkins University, and the United States Center for Disease Control (US CDC). The construction is being undertaken by Roko Construction Company, which has a track record of excellence in similar projects.
Established in 1954, MakSPH holds the distinction of being the first institute of public health in Sub-Saharan Africa. From its inception, the school has been instrumental in advancing public health education, research, and collaboration across the continent.
As MakSPH continues to expand its footprint, it remains committed to its mission of fostering sustainable and inclusive development through excellence in public health education and research.
For further information, contact Makerere School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala.