Soroti University Gate Shut Days After Shs1.2 Billion Handover Due to Falling Stones

Soroti University has been forced to close its brand-new main gate, a Shs1.2 billion project, due to safety concerns. Just weeks after its official handover, sections of granite and stone cladding have detached and fallen from the impressive entrance arch.

The university’s Directorate of Estates and Works issued a memo on October 14, 2026, announcing the immediate closure. The decision was made to allow the contractor, National Housing and Construction Company, to carry out necessary repairs.

According to the memo, the “debonding and falling of granite/stone cladding” poses a “significant risk to human life and property.” The gate will remain closed until the identified defects are rectified and certified as safe by the university’s technical team.

In the interim, staff, students, visitors, and other road users have been directed to use the previously designated alternative access route. The university has apologized for any inconvenience caused, emphasizing that the closure is a crucial step to ensure the safety of the university community and the public.

The Shs1.2 billion project, which began in September 2025, was intended to bolster security at the expanding institution. It included a perimeter wall, surveillance cameras, solar installations, and communication systems, all aimed at enhancing safety and monitoring activities around the main entrance.

However, the premature failure of the stone cladding has cast a shadow over the project’s quality and durability, necessitating this unexpected closure and remedial work. The university is committed to ensuring the gate is fully repaired and safe before it is reopened to the public.