Makerere University has renamed the Central Teaching Facility 2 (CTF 2) Building at the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), after the University’s first black Principal and former President of Uganda, Prof Yusuf Lule.
The decision to rename CTF 2 Building after Lule, was taken on June 8, 2022, during the 156th meeting of the University Council.
The proposal to rename CTF 2 Building was approved by the Makerere University Council in consultation with the University Management.
The CTF 2 Building was officially unveiled as Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility at the University on Friday.
This comes just months after the University renamed the Central Teaching Facility 1 (CTF 1) after the first Vice Chancellor, Frank Kalimuzo.
Speaking at the event on Friday, the Makerere University Council Chairperson, Lorna Magara said the decision to rename these facilities was premised on what the University felt was its obligation to honor the contribution of Makerere’s forefathers who built the firm foundation upon which the University continues to offer excellent service to humanity.
“These contributions often came at a great price, which was his very life in the case of the late Frank Kalimuzo,” said Mrs Magara.
She added that these ceremonies are an opportunity for reflection and to do all the University can, to immortalize the contributions of these icons for the benefit of present and future generations so that they may be strengthened with might to continue bearing their crosses in service valiantly.
“The passing on of loved ones is usually associated with cessation. Cessation of dreams, beautiful plans, wonderful times shared, and their companionship. Renaming ceremonies, therefore, provide a form of reprieve; to recall, to reflect, to once again bring near and uphold in perpetuity the contributions of those whose lives we celebrate,” she said.
The University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof Henry Alinaitwe who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, said that naming CTF 2 after Prof Yusuf Lule demonstrates Makerere’s readiness and willingness to accord the honour that is due to all the gallant men and women who made significant contributions to the institution that “we are proud to call our alma mater.”
“The Naming of Buildings and Roads is one of the key activities outlined in our conceptual framework for the Makerere at 100 celebrations. Herein, we note that it is important to recognize the contributions of various individuals and entities that contributed to the establishment of a strong foundation upon which successive generations have gone on to “Build for the Future” as our motto clearly states,” said Prof Alinaitwe.
Yusuf Lule’s appointment as the first Ugandan Principal of Makerere University came at a time when the East African Nations of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania had successfully secured independence.
Prof Alinaitwe applauded the inter-university collaboration and exchanges between Makerere, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the University of East Africa succeeded in building academic standards and innovations during Yusuf Kironde Lule’s term as Principal.
Ambassador Semakula Kiwanuka who gave a keynote address said, “our gathering here is testimony that we appreciate Lule’s contribution to legacy of Makerere as institution building a transformed society as it celebrates 100 years. All the students and everyone who has gone through the gates of Makerere, and after seeing the Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, will be inspired to make a contribution to this institution and the country at large.”
Ambassador Semakula recognized Lule with four accolades that included; great service to Uganda, Africa, Commonwealth and the Humanity.
Semakula described Lule as an individual who had broad and diverse experience, having been a “Master” at Buddo, Principal or Vice Chancellor at Makerere, Minister, President of Association of African Universities, an academic politician, and Chairman of National Resistance Movement.
“I want to look at Lule as a colonial Minister. In the early 50s, he was one of the Ministers appointed in colonial government before independence. He was appointed Minister of Rural Development. This was the time when Africans were allowed to own places in Kampala. Lule as a Minister sort of presided over the construction of some buildings at the current taxi park. Those were called shops of Africans. Credit goes to Lule as Minister to presided over introduction of Africans in the city of Kampala,” he said.
Furthermore, Ambassador Semakula said Lule inherited a legacy and history of a very distinguished institution.
“As we (Makerere) build for the future, Prof Yusuf Lule was one of those who made this future. Yusuf Lule built for the future that we see here today.”
Yusuf Lule’s daughter, Ms Norah Lule described her father as an educator who was passionate about education, and was determined to put a lot of effort into it.
“My father said, you can be what you want to be in future. The issue was people wanted to always decide for me what to do. My father was an education psychologist, so he knew that what would work for me, would not work for other people,” she said.
Prof Yusuf Lule was the Principal of Makerere University College from 1964 to 1970 until the departure of the University of East Africa in 1970 which led to the formulation of the new Makerere University Act in which the position of Principal was removed.
On 13th April 1979, Yusuf Kironde Lule was sworn in as the President of the Republic of Uganda and became the visitor to Makerere University for 68 days.
Makerere says that as it celebrates 100 years, the contribution of its forefathers who built the strong foundation on which the university still stands ought to be honored.
Therefore, the renaming of CTF2 immortalizes the contributions that Prof Yusuf Kironde Lule made in making Makerere the great University that it is.