The partnership for promoting Makerere´s institutional development during the period 2000-2010 has a financial frame of approximately USD 28 million. The support is aligned to Uganda’s national planning and policy framework.
Norwegian support to Makerere University dates back to the 1960s. After a 15 year period of political instability, support was renewed in the late 80s. In 2000, Norway expanded its scope of support to Makerere to cover the University’s Institutional Development Programme for an initial five (5) years. The support agreement was signed on 28 June 2000 with a total grant of NOK110m (approx US$18 million USD). It is during this phase that the Food Science and Technology building was built.
A new bilateral framework agreement between Government of Uganda and Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway for continued support was signed on 27th October, 2005, for four (4) years (2005/06 – 2008/09) worth NOK60m (approx.US$10m). In this phase Norway provided the funding that enabled Makerere to buy the Pilot processing plant. The food, nutrition and value addition is perhaps the component that responds most directly to the mandate of Makerere in meeting the changing needs of society and socio-economic development priorities in Uganda.
The extension to Faculty of Technology Building, is also supported under Phase two. With this extension, it is envisioned that there will be an improved environment for teaching, research and office accommodation given the growing staff and student numbers in the Faculty of Technology as a result of the Government of Uganda policy of promoting Science and Technology.
In the speech given by Chargé d’ affaires a.i., Mr. Gjermund Saether, on August 14th, it was stressed that where as development partners can provide the funds for investment in the infrastructure, it is expected that Government of Uganda should provide funds for maintenance and upkeep of both the buildings, various equipments and technically advanced instruments.
Kampala August 17th. 2009