MAKERERE UNIVERSITY CANNOT DIVERT FUNDS DONATED FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN BUILDING WITHOUT THE CLEARANCE OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS.
Uganda is likely to lose money should Makerere University Administration divert funds that were donated to the Reconstruction of the Main Building.
Donors responded to the appeal that was made by the Vice Chancellor of the University to help in the Reconstruction of the Main Building after it got burnt on 20 September 2020. The funds raised under that appeal, it is a matter of common sense, cannot be re - located to another purpose without the permission of the donors. The University has three options:
1. Use donors money for the Reconstruction of the Main Building, and in case of any shortage, get the difference from the shs 21bn that Government pledged.
2. Write to individual donors asking for clearance to re - locate funds that were meant for the Reconstruction of the Main Building to another area, and here, the University has to be specific where exactly that amount is to be put. And, that money will only be used if the donor accepts.
3. The other option is to return the funds as raised since the Government of Uganda decided to fund the Reconstruction.
Prof. Nawangwe is quoted by the Observer newspaper, “Apart from the shs 3.7bn donated by MasterCard Foundation, well wishers donated more than shs 10m”.
What does it mean?
Funds raised from outside Uganda sources are excluded from the picture. My opinion is: If Prof. Nawangwe cannot tell the world the whole truth regarding the fundraising he launched, he has no business being Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.
WHY DID THE GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA DECIDE TO FUND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY MAIN BUILDING?
When the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University launched the fundraising drive, those in Government did not expect me to make an appeal for the Reconstruction that was to go viral.
In 2010 and 2015, I made fundraising appeals to stand for President of Uganda in 2011 and 2016. In the wisdom of some people, they thought it made sense telling me that in both instances I did not raise money. Indeed it was impossible. Instead they used that, and the fact that my communication was interfered with, so I would not have proof for the fundraising.
However, out of the blue, I came out on April 2 the day Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito died, made a blog for fundraising for the Reconstruction of Makerere University Main Building and that same day, before 11.00am, I managed to send out hundreds of emails. And, I went ahead to inform the various authorities in Uganda that I made the fundraising as an Alumni of Makerere University and at the same time to show them that I have the ability to fundraise and that on the two occasions I wanted to stand for President, my money was just taken by some people who are connected.
https://makmainbuildingreconstruction.blogspot.com/2021/04/support-reconstruction-of-makerere.html
We cannot keep telling people not to be corrupt when key players in Government at the level of cabinet are corrupt. I never knew my matters would get to this. My advice to Uganda Government is simple: Instead of getting involved into more scandals by letting Makerere University re - locate funds meant for the Reconstruction of the Main Building, just make good my money which some people have shared.
Below are various attachments:
Attachment 1: Article by the Observer newspaper.
Makerere University is set to divert money collected in donations for the restoration of the iconic Ivory Tower to renovating other dilapidated buildings at the main campus ahead of centennial celebrations next year.
Established in 1922, Makerere University will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2022 as the oldest institution of higher learning in Uganda.
In October last year, Makerere launched platforms to enable willing individuals and organizations to offer monetary contributions for the restoration of the iconic main building that was gutted by fire in September.
Following the inferno, students, alumni and well-wishers called for the expeditious restoration of the building ahead of the centenary celebrations. However last week, cabinet resolved to demolish the structure and allocated Shs 21 billion for the reconstruction of a new building.
Vice chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe says part of the money from the donations will be used to replace utilities in the main building gutted by fire like computers and renovation of dilapidated structures like halls of residence.
He said that other than renovations, there is need for more money towards equipping the reconstructed main building, which they intend to raise from donations. Nawangwe notes that apart from the Shs 3.7 billion donated by MasterCard Foundation to help them recover from the losses resulting from the fire, well-wishers donated more than Shs 10 million.
During the launch of the campaign, the university sought to reach an estimated 300,000 alumni spread across the world, current students, parents and former parents, friends of Makerere, organizations and other people attached to the university.
The university obtained a merchant code (542803) and also opened two accounts in Stanbic bank; 9030017778608 for contributions in US dollars and 9030017778535 for contributions in Uganda shillings for streamlined accountability.
Nawangwe explains that most of the money that was promised by well-wishers last year, remains in pledges as those willing to support await a fundraiser campaign as was the initial plan. The university is in preparations to hold the campaign in early October this year to reach its target of 300,000 people.
In the meantime, Nawangwe, who is relieved that the government is footing costs for the reconstruction of the main building, says that the university will start the reconstruction process by sourcing a contractor hopefully within two months as they wait for the Finance ministry to avail the Shs 21 billion.
The construction of the main building, which began in 1938, was financed by several sources including regional governments, the Uganda protectorate government and several individuals.
2. Attachment No. 2: LAUNCH OF FUNDRAISING BY VICE CHANCELLOR.
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY IN DRIVE TO RESTORE THE ICONIC MAIN BUILDING
Makerere University has launched a fundraiser to help restore its administration building -The Main Building popularly known as ‘The Ivory Tower’ in the wake of fire that ravaged the iconic building, leaving scores lost.
Several office equipment and other valuable information was damaged during the Sunday 20th September 2020 night fire. The fire broke out at the Main Building — Ivory Tower — at Makerere University at 1:05am, according to Uganda Police.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has invited friends of Makerere and alumni to work together to rebuild the structure.
He cites that the main building is a very strong symbol for higher education, not only for just in Uganda but in East and Central Africa.
“It is a building that is known and respected all over the world and there has been an outpouring of grief messages from all over the world due to the burning of the building with messages of solidarity and some with pledges that our friends around the world will help us to restore the building,” he said.
PROFESSOR NAWANGWE THE VICE CHANCELLOR SAYS THAT, "THE UNIVERSITY WILL NEED UP TO USD 5,714,285.7 TO RESTORE THE MAIN BUILDING".
Unveiling the official contribution channels for support towards the restoration of Iconic Main Administration Building the Vice Chancellor appealed to all well - wishers to make contributions through:
STANBIC BANK – UGANDA
SWIFT CODE FOR STANBIC BANK UGANDA: SBICUGKXXXX
ACCOUNT NUMBERS:
1. 9030017778608 (USD)
2. 9030017778535 (UGX)
3. Attachment No. 3: My fundraising for President on two occasions, whose proceeds are nowhere to be seen and are now the reason why Government decided to fund the Reconstruction of the Main Building at Makerere University.
Below are the web addresses for my fundraising:
http://williamkituuka.blogspot.com/2010/09/kind-appeal-for-moral-support-and_01.html?m=1
http://billkiwanuka.blogspot.com/2014/10/kiwanuka-kituuka-for-2016-uganda.html?m=1
http://kiwanukaofunityinafederateduganda.blogspot.com/2015/05/kiwanuka-kituukas-appeal-for-financial_7.html?m=1
You know: “WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND”.
