Makerere University has handed over the site for a major infrastructure expansion at its College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), paving the way for construction of a new 15,000-square-metre academic complex valued at Shs96.6 billion.

The site was handed over by Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, to ROKO Construction, the contractor undertaking the project.

ROKO Construction was represented at the handover by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mark Koehler, while project consultant Symbion Uganda Limited was represented by its Managing Director, Mr. Muli Pius.

The project is being funded by the Government of Uganda and is expected to significantly expand the infrastructure available to CoBAMS for teaching, graduate training, research and other academic activities.

The site handover marks an important step in the implementation of the long-planned CoBAMS Infrastructure Expansion Project.

The project has been under development for several years. Makerere's 2023 CoBAMS annual report indicated that the feasibility study for the proposed infrastructure expansion and remodelling project had received approval from the Government's Development Committee in March 2023.

By 2025, the project had progressed further, with CoBAMS reporting that it had been approved by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and that funding was expected to enable implementation.

Makerere's 2025 annual report subsequently confirmed that Government had allocated resources to commence the project and that the University Council had approved two strategically located parcels of land for its implementation.

The latest site handover therefore represents a further transition from planning and preparation to construction.

The Government of Uganda is investing Shs96.6 billion in the project, underlining the scale of the planned infrastructure development at one of Makerere University's major academic colleges.

The 15,000-square-metre development is expected to provide additional space at a time when CoBAMS has been seeking to address pressure on its existing teaching and office facilities.

In its 2024 annual report, CoBAMS identified overcrowding in classrooms and offices among the challenges the expansion project was intended to address.

The additional infrastructure is expected to strengthen the college's capacity to support its academic programmes while providing more room for research and graduate training.

Speaking during the site handover, Prof. Nawangwe commended CoBAMS management, led by Prof. Edward Bbaale, for its vision and efforts towards expanding the college's infrastructure.

The Vice Chancellor said the project aligns with Makerere University's transformative Strategic Plan and its research-led agenda.

The expansion is intended not only to provide additional physical space but also to support the university's broader academic priorities, including teaching, graduate education, research and other scholarly activities.

That focus comes as CoBAMS continues to strengthen its research and policy engagement role. In recent years, the college has been involved in research programmes and partnerships covering areas including economic policy, public investment management and climate-sensitive economic planning.

Prof. Bbaale, who serves as Principal of CoBAMS, has previously highlighted infrastructure development as an important priority for the college.

In the college's 2025 annual report, management said Government resources had been allocated to commence the infrastructure expansion project and that the University Council had approved land for its implementation. The report also said the infrastructure would be designed to support teaching, research, innovation and policy engagement.

The latest development brings that process closer to the physical construction of the planned facilities.

For students and staff, the expansion could provide much-needed additional academic and working space as CoBAMS continues to grow its teaching, graduate training and research activities.

The CoBAMS project is among the infrastructure investments being supported through Government's development funding for Makerere University.

Makerere previously reported that its development budget for the 2025/26 financial year included funding for the CoBAMS Infrastructure Expansion Project alongside other university development priorities.

The Shs96.6 billion investment consequently represents a significant addition to Makerere's physical infrastructure and is expected to play a role in the university's efforts to create an environment that supports research-led teaching and learning.

With the site now formally handed over to ROKO Construction, attention will shift to the construction and eventual delivery of the proposed 15,000-square-metre CoBAMS infrastructure development.