Makerere University sh96.6b CoBAMS expansion project starts
CoBAMS is the largest college at Makerere University by student numbers, with over 8,000 students pursuing degrees in Commerce, Business Administration, Economics, Statistics, Population Studies and Business Statistics.
Chief Executive Officer Roko Construction Limited, Mark Koehler signing on the proposed designs and approved plan of the business building at Makerere University. (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
KAMPALA - The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has handed over the site for the proposed College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) Infrastructure Expansion Project to the contractor, Roko Construction Company Limited, paving way for construction of a mega complex worth sh96.6 billion.
The project, fully funded by the Government of Uganda, will provide about 15,000 square metres of space to accommodate academic, learning and research facilities as well as space for student and staff social activities.
The colourful site handover ceremony held on Friday at the CoBAMS grounds, next to the current college buildings, was attended by members of Makerere University Management, CoBAMS leadership led by Principal Prof. Eria Hisali, representatives from Roko Construction, and student leaders.
Project to end congestion at CoBAMS
CoBAMS is the largest college at Makerere University by student numbers, with over 8,000 students pursuing degrees in Commerce, Business Administration, Economics, Statistics, Population Studies and Business Statistics.
For years, the college has grappled with severe space shortage, with students sitting on windows and in corridors during lectures, and lecturers sharing small offices.
The new infrastructure expansion project is expected to end that congestion.
According to Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal, College of Business and Management Sciences, Makerere University, the new complex will be a multi-storey building with modern lecture theatres with a capacity of 500 to 1,000 students each, smart classrooms, postgraduate research labs, computer labs, staff offices, conference halls, library space, cafeteria and recreation areas for students and staff.
Prof. Nawangwe, while handing over the site, applauded CoBAMS leadership for its vision and for lobbying the government to fund the project, noting that the infrastructure expansion aligns with Makerere University’s Strategic Plan 2020-2030 and its research-led agenda.
He added: “CoBAMS is our biggest college; it brings in a lot of revenue, it trains the business leaders of this country. But its infrastructure has remained the same for 20 years while student numbers tripled. This sh96.6 billion investment by the government will transform CoBAMS into a world-class business school.”
Nawangwe urged Roko Construction, one of Uganda’s oldest and most experienced construction firms, to deliver quality work on time and within budget.
“Roko is not new to Makerere. You built the Main Building after it burnt; you built many buildings here. We know your capacity. But I want to warn you — we want quality, we want value for money, and we want this project completed in 24 months as per contract. No delays. Makerere is tired of delayed projects,” Nawangwe said sternly.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe speaking at the handover ceremony at Makerere University in Kampala on Friday August 4, 2026 (Credit: Isaac Nuwagaba)
Roko promises quality, timely delivery
Chief Executive Officer Roko Construction Limited Mark Koehler, commended Makerere for trusting the company and promised to deliver a landmark project.
“We are honoured to be given this project. Makerere is our home. We have constructed several structures at Makerere for over 50 years. We promise to deliver this CoBAMS complex on time, with the highest quality, and with safety. We have mobilised our team and equipment, and we shall start excavation next week,” Koehler said.
Dream comes true
CoBAMS Principal, Prof. Eria Hisali, said the handover marks the fulfilment of a 10-year dream for the college.
“This is a historic day for CoBAMS. We have been struggling with space. Our staff-to-student ratio is 1:100 because we have no space to teach. Some of our PhD students have no space to sit and do research. This building will give us 15,000 sq metres — that is almost doubling our current space,” Prof. Hisali said.
He revealed that the college lobbied for the project through the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, with strong support from the First Lady and Minister of Education, Janet Museveni, and the University Council.
“The government has given us a huge vote of confidence in CoBAMS. We promise to use it well. The new building will house our new programmes like Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, and our growing graduate school, which has over 1,000 masters and PhD students,” Hisali added.
He said the college currently has only 60 offices for over 200 academic staff, forcing many to share.
In the last five years, Makerere has completed several government-funded projects, including the new Main Building, the Law Building, and is currently constructing the sh60 billion School of Public Health and sh90 billion Students Centre.
Prof. Nawangwe said the goal is to make Makerere among the top 5 universities in Africa by 2030.
“You cannot be a top university without infrastructure. We have secured over sh400 billion from the government in the last 4 years for infrastructure. This is because the government trusts us. We shall not disappoint,” he said.
Construction of the CoBAMS complex is expected to start on September 10, 2026, and be completed by September 2028.