Martin Luther Nsibirwa, Katikiro (Prime minister) of Buganda, M.B.E, (Member of the Order of the British Empire), 1929-1941 and July 1945- Sept. 1945

Abstract

A hall formerly named after Sir Geoffrey Northcote, K.C.M.G. a former Chairperson of Makerere University Council was renamed after the former murdered Katikiro of Buganda, Martin Luther Nsibirwa. Earlier on, specifically, 3rd September 1945, in the Buganda Lukiiko (Cabinet) there had been a discussion on a bill that would give the Kabaka (King) authority to take over private land, with compensation, for purposes of national development. The two projects in question were Namulonge Research station and land for expansion of Makerere College, which had acquired university status and desired to expand. Katikkiro Nsibirwa was in favor of the bill but there was discontent in some sections of the people. On 5th September1945, he was assassinated early in the morning. According to Mrs Kalema, (2021), daughter of the deceased, he had already assented to the bill , unknown to the assassin, the land for the expansion of Makerere was acquired and in 1949, Makerere, with its newly acquire university status, changed name to Makerere College, University of East Africa.