Kyambogo University, the second-largest public university in Uganda, intends to develop a state-of-the-art student residential complex and a multi-purpose sports arena. This comes amidst rising accommodation pressures and increasing calls to develop better sporting facilities. The university will execute these projects with a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
New Student Accommodation Complex
Accommodation in the proposed student housing will increase to 10,000 students, increased from the current situation where the university accommodates only about 5% of the population. The new complex shall boast of modern amenities like self-contained rooms, high-speed internet, and study areas, offering a comfortable, safe, friendly place of living.
Prof. Eli Katunguka, Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor, said the accommodation project when solved, will not only reduce the housing crisis but also lead to improved student safety and better academic performance. The complex shall have special provisions for students with disabilities and include ramps, elevators, and other accessible rooms.
Multi-Purpose Sports Complex
The second mega project has to do with the construction of a multi-purpose sport complex for activities such as basketball, volleyball, handball, swimming, and track and field events. The facilities shall include indoor and outdoor ones, comprising a 5,000-seater indoor arena and outdoor football among other sport facilities.
Prof. Katunguka identified the importance of the project in both serving the needs of the students but also putting the university at the hub of regional and international sporting activities. The sport complex will have a built-in business center, providing shops, cafes, and services to the university and the community at large.
Some Key Challenges to Address
Whereas the student enrollment at Kyambogo is still growing, it has emerged as a dire need that dictates increasing its accommodation capacity. Currently, over 27,000 students are hosted in private hostels-most of them characterized by either exorbitant cost or deplorable conditions. Being on campus will add to the students’ experience.
While the university has for a long time suffered from an acute shortage of sports and recreation facilities. These shortfalls will be complimented by the new complex to offer the students with the required infrastructure to compete effectively both academically and as athletes.
Timeline and Project Financing
These projects will be constructed on university land and construction is expected to start soon. The accommodation complex will be constructed on 20 acres, while the sports arena will be on 11 acres. In order to make it financially viable, the university will seek revenue within student accommodation fees, lease rentals from retail spaces, membership in sport clubs, and events.
Once completed, these facilities will complement campus life at Kyambogo University towards Academic and Extracurricular success.
