After decades of struggling with an aging bus and vehicle fleet, coupled with escalating maintenance costs, Makerere University has given new buses to three of its colleges with high field activity.
These new vehicles, priced at Shillings 625 million each, are intended to alleviate the transportation issues that have affected students and staff, including frequent delays and breakdowns during field trips.
The three benefiting colleges are the College of Health Sciences, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity.
Dr. Gorettie Nabanoga, Principal of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said over the years, the college has been suffering with transport to the field as they run DMCs. She added that available fleet of about ten vehicles they have in the college where donated to them 40 years ago from the Norwegian government.
Dr. Nabanoga mentioned that over the years, with the buses frequently breaking down, the college has spent nearly a billion shillings on transportation needs, including 400 million specifically for vehicle maintenance and repairs.
However, despite these efforts, the buses continued to break down, limiting the college’s field activities. She emphasized that the college plays a crucial role in supporting the community in agriculture and environmental efforts, noting that 50 percent of the students’ course requires them to engage in fieldwork.
She added that While the addition of the new buses offers some relief, concerns remain about whether they will fully resolve the ongoing transportation issues across the college. During the handover of field activity buses to three colleges, the Vice Chancellor highlighted that with Makerere University’s farmlands located across the country and partner hospitals both in and outside Kampala, the new buses would ease travel for students undertaking field and practical training.
“I thank the Parliament of Uganda for appropriating the money that enabled us to procure the buses. The buses will enhance the mobility of our students to training sites. Makerere University is committed to giving our students the best academic experience,” he added.
The Isuzu-branded buses sparked some surprise among attendees, as many had expected Makerere University to purchase locally from Kiira Motors, a company with roots at the university. In response, Vice Chancellor Nawangwe explained that while Makerere initially considered Kiira Motors, the company informed them that it would take several months to deliver the vehicles.
He added that since Makerere had already secured funding from the government for the buses, the university was compelled to move forward with other options to ensure timely delivery.