MAK fire outbreak report presented to cabinet

By Prossy Kisakye

Cabinet has received the report on the fire that broke out at Makerere University Main Building in September last year and said it will consider the recommendations made.

The report recommends that electrical installations in old university buildings be refurbished and that the annual maintenance budget of the Estates and Works Department be increased to facilitate preventive maintenance of structures.

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 be recruited for the Estates and Works Department, at management level.

The university is also advised to ensure that all CCTV connections in the buildings are fully functional and monitored in a central surveillance room at all times.

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

Speaking to the media at her office in Kampala, the minister for ICT and National Guidance Judith Nabakooba, said the 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.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna