MUK House to get sh4b

By Dan nSalasatta Friends of Makerere in Canada FOMAC have pledged to construct a GuestHouse block worth 200m U.S. Dollars for the visiting Professors and external examiners at Makerere University. This was announced by Pete Musisi Luzige, FOMAC Chief Finance Officer at the recently concluded Uganda North American Association UNAA convention took place at Hotel Africana in Kampala. Pete Luzige a Financial Advisor at the Royal Bank of Canada and former Lecturer at the University of Manitoba, said FOMAC had initiated an academic exchange Programme for the professors of the Universities of Dollhouse, British Columbia and St Boniface General hospital with Makerere University but accommodation had become a problem for the visitors. 'Makerere University Administration has allocated us a plot where we are going to construct the guest house for the visiting professors, Medical School external examiners, and the students from Dollhouse University who regularly visit Makerere. The Construction of the guesthouse follows assistance FOMAC has extended to Makerere University and Mbarara University. This include four containers of medical equipment, text books, laboratory equipment and ultra sound equipment. This year FOMAC has shipped sh200m coulter counter and Blood coagulation machine, complete with chemicals for analysis Hematology to Makerere medical school this is the first of its kind in the country We are working with sisters of St. Joseph, at Hamiltonland to supply us with the medical equipment, which we shall ship to Makerere. FOMAC has just completed a publishing study for the need to set up a printing press (Printery) for Makerere University and we are mobilising funds. FOMAC is a non-profit, non- government, charity Organisation established by Ugandans living in Canada 1995. It started with few members but now the number has expanded to 350. Its primary objective is to undertake and promote programmes, projects and activities for the advancement of higher education in Africa with particular reference to Makerere University. Makerere had declined in the recent past, largely due to economic hardships. However, the institution retained the potential for an academic powerhouse cabable of addressing some of the challenging, complex national and international issues. FOMAC's goal is to create a forum for full and active participation in the process of rebuilding Makerere, and to mobilise financial and technical resources for increased investments in human capital, on a consistent and long-term basis. Prof. Charles Olweny chairs it. members of executive include James Kasule, Alice Mutungi, Nom Coghlan, Pete Musisi Luzige, former Minister of Supply in Obote's government Wilson Okweny and Dr. P. Patel. The majority of the members are former students of Makerere University and sympathisers. FOMAC has chapters has opening up branches in UK, USA, Australia and Kampala. In Uganda FOMAC is coordinated by Ms E. Kalema from the vice chancellors Office. Ends.