Makerere Vendors Suffer Losses As University Demolishes Kiosks

Several makeshift business operators at Makerere University have suffered losses following an order from the University management to demolish all illegal structures on the campus.

The long overdue demolition exercise sanctioned by Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Vice Chancellor, came with the reopening of the University after two months of closure over lecturers' and students' strike. In a December 8, 2016 letter seen by URN, Prof. Ssentamu wrote to the University Estates and Works Director Fred Nuwagaba to remove illegal structures at the campus.

“As you may be aware, a number of requests have been made to you to remove the illegal structures on campus. This is now to instruct you to remove all illegal structures on campus within three days effective December 9th 2016,” reads part of the letter.

However, Mama Ken, one of the vendors accused Prof. Ssentamu for heartlessly ordering the demolition of the structures owned by majority spouses of the Makerere University staff.

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Another vendor who works at the University but preferred anonymity also accused the vice chancellor of hiring hooligans to destroy their business premises that over years supplemented their meager sources of income.

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Barnabas Harerimaana, one of the student leaders criticized the University management for destroying the structures they were aware of and allowed to exist for a long time on the campus and pledged to cause an investigation into the matter.

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When contacted, Rita Namisango, the Senior Public Relations Officer of the University said the vendors were already warned to vacate the campus. Namisango dismissed allegations that the demolition order was orchestrated by Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu to settle his personal vendetta.