Nyabyeya Forestry College grapples with dilapidated structures

Masindi: Nyabyeya Forestry College, located in Masindi district, is struggling with outdated and dilapidated infrastructure that houses around 500 students.

The institution, which is the only forestry college in Uganda, faces significant challenges as its buildings continue to deteriorate, compromising the safety and well-being of its students.

Happy Pius, a student at the college, highlighted the unsafe conditions of the hostel where he resides, Half Landon.

“When I joined this college, I was shocked to find myself in this dilapidated hostel. I had hoped to be moved, but nothing changed. The rooms are overcrowded, there are no windows, and when it rains, the building leaks. This has exposed us to mosquito bites and malaria,” Pius explained, urging the government to address the issue.

Muhumuza Peter, another student, echoed similar concerns, describing the situation as dangerous. “We are packed into overcrowded rooms in Half Land, which has no bathrooms or windows. The living conditions are deplorable, and we feel unsafe,” he said.

Richard Kisaye, the college principal, explained that the financial situation of Nyabyeya Forestry College has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, as government grants have been drastically reduced. With limited resources, the college is unable to repair its grounded bus or address the deteriorating infrastructure.

“The college is financially constrained, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, the grants we received have been reduced. This has tied our hands, and we are unable to meet the needs of the college, including repairs to our transport,” Kisaye said.

To make up for the financial shortfall, the college has turned to growing tree seedlings for commercial purposes on its 300-hectare land, a strategy aimed at generating additional income to support college activities.

Nyabyeya Forestry College, which once admitted only male students, now accommodates a growing number of female students, comprising 50% of the current student population.

However, this has created space shortages in the hostels, leading to the allocation of male dormitories to female students, further crowding the remaining facilities.

“The growing number of female students has added to the space challenges, and we’ve had to repurpose male dormitories for them,” Kisaye noted.

Nyabyeya Forestry College’s alumni have recognized the urgent need for intervention. Boaz Besigirenda, the outgoing chairperson of the alumni association, revealed that alumni have committed to contributing UGX 50,000 each to renovate at least one of the hostel blocks.

“We are over 8,000 alumni of this institution, and most of the buildings are in a poor state. We cannot watch our alma mater fall into further disrepair. Therefore, we have decided to contribute funds to renovate at least one hostel block,” Besigirenda said.

The college, founded in 1932 in Mayuge District, was relocated to Nyabyeya village in 1948, where it occupies buildings left behind by Polish refugees after World War II.

Despite the college’s long history and importance, 90% of the buildings, including hostels and lecture halls, remain in a dilapidated condition. These structures, many of which date back to the colonial era, are in desperate need of renovation.

Nyabyeya Forestry College, the only institution of its kind in Uganda and one of the few in East Africa, plays a vital role in the country’s forestry sector.

However, the state of its infrastructure urgently needs attention to ensure the safety of its students and the continuation of quality education. The combined efforts of the government, alumni, and other stakeholders are necessary to restore the college to its former glory and secure its future.

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