Soroti University Closes Shs1.2bn Gate Over Falling Stone Cladding

What the report says

Soroti University has temporarily closed its newly built main gate after granite and stone cladding detached from the arch and fell, creating a safety concern for pedestrians, motorists and other road users. The development was reported by Nile Post and comes less than three weeks after the institution formally received the Shs1.2 billion facility.

According to a memo from the university’s Directorate of Estates and Works dated October 14, 2026, the closure took immediate effect so the contractor could carry out remedial work. The university said the defect involved debonding and falling cladding from the gate arch, and that the entrance would remain shut until the problem is fixed and technical staff confirm it is safe to use again. Soroti University said it had consulted the contractor, the National Housing and Construction Company, which is expected to correct the defects.

The university directed staff, students, visitors and other road users to use an alternative access route in the meantime. It also apologised for the inconvenience, saying the decision was necessary to protect the university community and the public.

The gate project began in September 2025 and was part of a wider security upgrade that included a perimeter wall, security facilities, surveillance cameras, solar installations and communication systems. More broadly, the incident highlights ongoing concerns about construction quality and maintenance in public infrastructure projects in Uganda, though the article does not establish the cause of the defect beyond the reported cladding failure.