Due to on going renovations at Makerere University’s aging residences for students accommodation, authorities have now given a green-light for female students to be temporally accommodated at the hitherto males only Lumumba Hall.
Female students from Mary Stuart Hall will be allowed to stay at Lumumba hall as innovations of their hall are undertaken in the short term.
Lumumba Hall, named after Patrice Lumumba, the revered Congolese independence founding leader, has been one of the traditional residences to thousands of Makerere University’ male students over the years.
The long held “solidarity” between Lumumba and Mary Stuart halls which got to be known as “Lumbox” -a watershed of students activism, unity, and love in the 70s , 80s and 90s is now uncertain .
This solidarity was often expressed through collective actions, including spirited participation in university activities, and at times, vocal protests advocating for student rights.
The Lumumba’s mascot, “Gongom,” which symbolized a spirited sense of solidarity which rallied students for collective action in both challenging and celebratory times is now said to have been retired. Back in the day there used to be running friendly “fights” between the rivaling students in the different halls especially Lumumba and Northcote now renamed Nsibirwa to capture “Gongom .”
