Cars entering Makerere to be charged Shs500 starting July
Drivers of vehicles entering Makerere University are expected to pay between Shs500 and Shs1,500 depending on the type of car. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
The move is expected to control traffic flow and raise revenue.
Kampala- For every vehicle entering Makerere University, drivers will pay at least Shs500 in a move expected to generate Shs50 million annually, the management has announced.
In a statement issued last week, the university management indicates that effective July 1, all the university gates will be installed with an Automated Vehicle Control System (AVCS).
“The AVCS will involve installation of CCTV cameras and erecting of ticketing machines to bill external vehicle users who access all the main entrances to the university, except for staff members and students,” the statement reads.
The university vice chancellor, Prof Ddumba Ssentamu, said procurement of the services was a management decision to control traffic flow within the university and generate income.
“The university is currently used as a shortcut by many vehicles and this increases the wear and tear on our roads,” he said.
Ms Marion Alina, the university assistant communications officer, said management has already contracted Kenya Airport Parking Services to man the 24-hour project.
The university had tried such an initiative earlier, however, the deputy vice chancellor in charge of finance and administration, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, said the project failed mainly because it was a manual system.
“The decision on which vehicles are allowed in or out was left to the discretion of the attendant at the gate. This new system is electronic and uses cards/tickets to allow entry and exit,” Prof Nawangwe said.
About the system
Charges: External vehicles will pay an hourly charge depending on the vehicle type. Saloon vehicles will pay Shs500, pick-ups and four-wheel drives Shs700, coasters and small trucks Shs1,000. Lorries and buses will pay Shs1,500 while vehicles parking for more than five hours will be charged Shs1,000 per extra hour.
How it works: External vehicle owners will be issued with a ticket reflecting the time they accessed the campus and will be required to present the same ticket on exit and pay the charges to an official at the desired exit point. Ambulances and other emergency vehicles will be granted free access.
