Alarming! Colonial-Era Buildings, Poor Drainage & Overcrowding Plague Busitema University

By Our Reporter

Busitema University’s top management has attributed the poor condition of its infrastructure to student vandalism and chronic underfunding, despite most facilities dating back to the colonial era in the 1950s, with minimal upgrades beyond occasional repairs.

Gorreth Namugga, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), revealed this on September 9, 2025, during the presentation of the committee’s report on the Auditor General’s findings for public universities and tertiary institutions. The report followed an inspection on August 13, 2024, at Busitema’s Main Campus, which highlighted dilapidated staff housing, unsafe conditions, and poor drainage in the residence halls due to faulty pipe connections.

Namugga stated, “Management noted that the facilities, built in the 1950s, are constantly rehabilitated, but the 840 students in the halls are destructive. The Accounting Officer cited an Asset Maintenance Policy but emphasized inadequate funding as the main challenge. The university will continue lobbying for increased funding to address these issues, with plans to improve drainage and maintain facilities this financial year.”

The Auditor General’s report pointed to non-compliance with Statutory Instruments 2005 No. 85, which mandates that university facilities be safe, functional, and well-maintained. The Accounting Officer acknowledged the findings, attributing the issues to limited capital funds and difficulties in securing resources for infrastructure development across all campuses. Parliament urged the university to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to secure more funding.

Namugga added, “With the infrastructural development code, the university hopes to access adequate resources to address dilapidated structures, which pose health and safety risks. The broken plumbing system further exacerbates these risks. We recommend the Accounting Officer develop a comprehensive maintenance plan to prevent further deterioration.”

The Auditor General also raised concerns about the non-functional incinerator at the girls’ halls, which the university plans to renovate in the 2024/25 financial year using funds secured through the capital development code. Namugga noted, “The university submitted a UGX 25 billion budget to improve infrastructure. The non-functional incinerator at Ousban Hall poses serious health and safety risks to female students. The Accounting Officer must expedite efforts to mobilize funds to address this issue.”

Additionally, the PAC highlighted unutilized common rooms in the halls, contravening regulation 56 of the Statutory Instruments 2005 No. 85, which requires adequate recreational facilities. At Arapai Campus’ Ruth Okwele Hall, the common room lacks sufficient furnishings, and students are not utilizing catering spaces due to inadequate facilities.

Overcrowding was also noted, with three to four students sharing small rooms, leading to cooking in rooms or corridors, compromising safety and service quality. Namugga remarked, “Excessive enrollment affects service delivery and compromises student safety. The Accounting Officer must enforce compliance with regulations to ensure student health and safety.”

The Auditor General’s review of Busitema University Holdings Limited revealed that its revenue of UGX 165,254,228 came solely from the university and its staff, as the company failed to market services to external clients. The university’s auto garage unit relies on word-of-mouth promotion but plans to prequalify with neighboring local governments to boost revenue.

Parliament has directed Busitema University to develop effective marketing strategies for its holding company to raise funds and meet its obligations, urging proactive measures to address infrastructure challenges and ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.