UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | Over 300 small shop businesses operating within Makerere University faced eviction on Friday as the university initiated an unexpected eviction process.
The affected businesses, encompassing restaurants, snack and beverage shops, and stationery outlets offering printing and photocopying services, were unprepared for the sudden turn of events.
Mr. Julius Gumisiriza, the chairperson of Makerere University Business Owners Association, expressed bewilderment at the lack of prior notice from the university regarding the eviction.
He stated, “I am wondering why they have done this because they have not put any alternatives for the students to get the services we have been offering them. There will be a very big vacuum.”
Gumisiriza emphasized that the move impacted 338 businesses, affecting not only the owners but also numerous employees and their dependents.
The business owners had previously appealed to the court, contesting the eviction. However, Makerere University proceeded with the eviction before the court could reach a final decision.
The sudden removal of these businesses has left a significant void in the services they provided to students.
Chaos ensued as students demanded explanations from the university administration, questioning why their affordable service providers were removed without offering alternatives.
Ms. Mariat Namiiro, the institution’s vice guild president, expressed the students’ plight, stating, “It’s us to suffer now because these people have been providing affordable service to students. We wrote to the administration seeking answers, but in vain.”
Efforts to obtain comments from the Vice Chancellor and Prof Henry Arinaitwe, the deputy vice chancellor in charge of finance and administration, proved futile, as they were unavailable for response by press time at 4 pm.
The background to this eviction traces back to the university’s initiative, starting in July 2022, to remove illegal businesses operating in various halls of residence and colleges.
In August of the same year, a court-issued interim order temporarily halted the university’s eviction plans until the case was resolved.
However, with the subsequent loss of the case by the business owners, the university proceeded with the eviction, leading to the recent displacement of over 300 businesses.
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