MPs have tasked the government to fence off Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute in Kabanyolo to save it from land encroachment. The institute sits on 650 acres of land valued at approximately UGX 325 billion and is reportedly threatened by an individual who has taken a portion of the land to build a private school.
The chairperson of the Parliament Accounting Committee, Muwanga Kivumbi, noted that this encroachment is a result of poor land management in most public universities. He said they face substantial losses in case the institute’s land is not fenced off.
In most public universities, land management has been at a low key, which has predisposed big portions to encroachment. Now for this case, an acre of land in Kabanyolo is approximately valued at UGX 500 million, hence 650 acres amounting to UGX 325 billion are so prone to encroachment. Government should provide the funds necessary for the institute to ensure its land is fully secured and fenced off to avoid further encroachment,
Kivumbi said.
A call for fencing comes after the Auditor General inspected the institution and realized that a part of the land is being utilized to construct a school. Management of Makerere University testified that there is a court case pending between the university and the school over encroachment.
Need for Security Enhancement
The university management explained that the need for a fence between MUARIK and Kabanyolo North was developed on the grounds of preventing theft of farm products. However, they expressed that due to financial constraints, this has not been fully realized with the complete fencing of the property.
Staffing Challenges
MPs also warned of the under-staffing at Kabanyolo, which they said was likely to create a work overload and low productivity. The university management admitted to receiving a request for an urgent need to recruit additional staff, including:
- Assistant Farm Manager – Livestock
- Assistant Farm Manager – Crops
- Training Coordinator
- Secretary
- At least 15 more security guards
These positions would actually help in ensuring effective management and security of the research institute.
Conclusion
Interventions by the government are needed in ensuring that land and resources at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute are protected. Since some cases are in court and staff are poorly disposed of, fencing the land is not just protection of highly valued assets but an assurance of sustainability and continued productivity of the institute.
