SCULPTURES AT MAKERERE



Makerere University has frequently been referred to as the ‘Harvard of East Africa’. This is because it is the maiden and oldest university in the region.

It has produced numerous professionals, academics and scholars, in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. But certain features distingishMakerere . A major feature is the ivory tower- its trade mark. On the main building where administrative offices are.

Of great interest are the sculptures on campus .These are as a result of academicians, who sought a different way of communication. Since the introduction of Margaret Trowell School of industrial and fine arts by British Artist and teacher in 1937, there has been more art in the scene. A visit to this school tells it all. Every year, 3rd year students undertake projects where they came up with different sculptures and artwork, with different messages and themes. They then display them at their school.

Others are at the halls of residence .They refer to their names and portray a sense of solidarity. In Mitchell known as ‘rats’ rests a sculpture of a rat, complex a crocodile ,Nkrumah sculpture of Kwame Nkrumah, a great African leader, Livingston of David Livingston,the famous explorer among others


War victims are also honoured by professor Francis Xavier Nnaggenda, a former head of Margaret Trowell School . ‘To remember the lives of those lost in war and resilience of the human spirit in Uganda” is the inscription on it. It is made of wood and located at the main Library level three.

It consists of a human body with one leg, both hands, and the head chopped off. It captures the academic repression suffered because of political and economic instability from 1970s to 1980s.

This was during the reign of president Idi Amin.Numerous scholars whom Amin saw as a threat were assassinated .Those who survived, fled to neighbouring countries and abroad to escape his wrath .



Hatching a new generation.

It is the most conspicuous sculpture. It leaves many unanswered questions. Designed by Professor George Kakooza, it consists of a bird roosting on her newly hatched chicks. Sits at the round about between Faculty of science, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics and East African Library School.

It is made of copper, brass, steel and concrete. It was completed in 1998, during the platinum jubilee celebration of the university. It tends to expound on the Makerere Motto: "We build for the future."Makerere university is a Broody bird which hatches, the chicks are the students, who are hatched after been incubated for a period of education and training.

Through this process professionals keep on increasing and so, building for the future and new generation.



The library.



Superimposed on the wall of the new library, it consists of a portrait of a lady and a gentleman reading a book. It simply depicts that you are entering the heart of the knowledge. It prepares you to adjust to the new environment, observe silence .



Other numerous sculptures are at the Trowell school. Little is known about them. They contain diverse and interesting messages. On the face of it, they might look plain and lack meaning. However, a careful examination and interpretation of their themes reveals a lot.

Sculpture communication is growing at a high rate. Both as artwork and for public communication. Unlike in the past where sculptures were only representatives of cultures, creativity and desire to have a unique message packaging, and technology advancement has led to proliferation of sculptures.

Their durability is also another factor and is in deed cutting a niche in the media.