First Lady Janet Museveni Commissions Renovated Mary Stuart Hall

First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni, presided over the official reopening of the refurbished Mary Stuart Hall at Makerere University

MAKERERE – The Minister of Education and First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni, presided over the official reopening of the refurbished Mary Stuart Hall at Makerere University today, while calling upon students to embrace integrity and ethical values in their academic and professional lives. The historic women's residence hall has undergone extensive renovations worth 10.5 billion shillings, restoring its former glory while expanding capacity to accommodate more students.  

Originally constructed in 1947, the iconic hall now provides improved living conditions for 512 female students, up from its previous capacity of 376. The comprehensive renovation included the installation of modern amenities, replacement of outdated infrastructure such as the non-functional elevator system, and structural reinforcements to preserve the 76-year-old building's architectural heritage.  

During the commissioning ceremony, Mrs. Museveni emphasised the importance of cultivating ethical leadership among Uganda's educated youth. "The knowledge you gain here must be matched by strong moral character," she stated, urging students to become champions of transparency and accountability in the nation's fight against corruption.  

University officials acknowledged the ongoing challenges of student accommodation, with Chairperson Lorna Magara noting that while the renovated hall now houses 1,357 female students, this represents only a fraction of the university's total enrollment, exceeding 30,000. Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe assured that the upgraded facilities now provide dignified living conditions conducive to academic excellence.  

Student leaders welcomed the improvements, with Guild President James Churchill Sentamu praising the renovations while calling for similar upgrades across other campus facilities. The event marked a significant milestone in Makerere University's efforts to modernise its infrastructure while maintaining its historic legacy as East Africa's premier institution of higher learning.