Makerere University will today, Friday, August 15, officially reopen the iconic Mary Stuart Hall following a major refurbishment, with First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni presiding over the ceremony.
The event is scheduled to start at 1:30pm and will mark a significant milestone in the institution’s efforts to modernise its student accommodation.
According to Ms Betty Kyakuwa, the university’s public relations manager, preparations for the high-profile function will include strict traffic and security measures.
Parking around the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) will be reserved for official guests and security vehicles, while staff have been advised to use alternative parking areas at Complex Hall and the School of Law.
Parking along the main road will be prohibited.
Security will also be heightened, with increased checks at all university entry points. Staff and visitors will be required to present valid Makerere University or national identification for ease of access.
Mary Stuart Hall, often referred to by its nickname “Box,” was opened in 1971 and named after Mary Stuart, a British missionary and education advocate who championed women’s empowerment in Uganda.
The hall, which accommodates over 900 female students, has long been a symbol of women’s higher education at Makerere, playing host to generations of professionals and leaders.
Over the years, the building’s facilities had deteriorated, with the once-modern amenities becoming outdated.
One of the most notorious issues was its long-defunct lift — dubbed the “dead lift” by residents — which had been out of service for decades, forcing students to climb up to nine floors daily.
The renovation project, led by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), was handed over to the university on July 25, 2025.
The works included full structural repairs, plumbing and electrical overhauls, modernised bathrooms, fresh furnishings, and the long-awaited restoration of the lift to working condition.
University officials say the upgrade is part of a broader campus-wide plan to improve student living standards and preserve Makerere’s architectural heritage.
The reopening is expected to be both a celebration of history and a showcase of progress, with the First Lady’s presence underscoring the government’s commitment to improving higher education infrastructure.