Makerere fire: No report one month later

Makerere University main building was razed on September, the cause of the fire is yet to be established pending a police investigation report one month later. PHOTO | STEPHEN OTAGE

Police is yet to release a report on the cause of fire that razed Makerere University Main Building on September 20.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) yesterday said investigations into the fire incident are complete but the report is not ready.
Mr Charles Twine, the CID spokesperson, said a team of scientists and fire experts concluded the investigations and the final report is being compiled.
“The experts conferenced with the investigators and had their last meeting. On September 30, the experts met with the investigators and shared their findings for a report but since then, the report is not yet out,” Mr Twine said yesterday.
He added that the last samples from the fire scene were picked by different experts from Umeme, Makerere University Engineering department, Works ministry and the Police Forensic department to do the final forensic analysis.
“The experts into the Makerere University probe are independent and police cannot force them to share their final findings,” Mr Twine added.
He noted that once the findings are corroborated, the team will issue a report within one week.
The Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, in his report on the fire outbreak that destroyed many university records, said the university is faced with the task of restoring the iconic building in time for the centenary celebrations due in 2022. 
“Management will engage government and other stakeholders on this very important task. We are grateful to our alumni and well-wishers from around the globe for their sympathy and for the desire to contribute to the restoration of the building. 
“We will inform all stakeholders about accounts to which to send their contributions when this is finalised,” Prof Nawangwe said in a statement on September 23.