Focus on finance, governance, Makerere students tell Visitation Committee
Chairman of Makerere University visitation committee, Dr Abel Rwendeire (R), addresses students at Makerere University on Thursday. PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA.
What you need to know:
- Mr Ssemboga also tasked the committee to investigate university leaders who precipitate strikes to achieve personal motives.
- Dr Rwendeire said the committee has reviewed previous reports and would put in place mechanisms to ensure that their report suggestions are implemented.
KAMPALA. Makerere University students have asked the Visitation Committee that is inquiring into the university’s perennial problems to focus on the university’s finance, corruption and governance.
The recommendations came up in a guild forum attended by the Visitation Committee members chaired by Dr Abel Rwendeire on Thursday evening. President Museveni in November last year appointed the Visitation Committee to probe affairs of the university.
During the forum held in the university’s main hall, the students discussed what the Visitation Committee should dwell on days after the university was reopened following a two months closure over lecturers strike.
Mr Simon Ssenyonga, a law student, argued that the committee should investigate financial negligence as well as students’ leadership and ensure that corrupt leaders are prosecuted. He further noted that the committee should ensure that their report recommendations are implemented.
Mr Harris Akampurira, a peace and conflict studies postgraduate student, said: “The committee should recommend means on how to generate sufficient resources to run the university.”
The guild president, Mr Roy Ssemboga, called for a change in the composition of Makerere University Council. “A number of council members are top managers of this institution and there is no way they can supervise themselves,” he said.
Mr Ssemboga also tasked the committee to investigate university leaders who precipitate strikes to achieve personal motives. He alleged that some Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa) members connived with a section of students to cause a strike that led to the November 1 closure.
Mr Kansime Taremwa, the director of public speech, Makerere debating union, said: “The duplication of roles in the university should end. You can’t have deputy vice chancellor for academics and at the same time academic registrar. ”
However, some students argued that President Museveni has no power to appoint a committee to probe the university operations.
“The President is a visitor and he has no power to put in place a committee. We took him to court and until court decides otherwise, he should not appoint a visitation committee,” Mr John Turyakira, one of the students who sued President Museveni for closing Makerere, said.
Dr Rwendeire said the committee has reviewed previous reports and would put in place mechanisms to ensure that their report suggestions are implemented.
Closure
President Museveni ordered the closure of Makerere University on November 1, 2016 following a lecturers’ strike over unpaid arrears. Before the presidential directive, students had also joined the strike after lecturers under their umbrella body Makerere University Academic Staff Association resolved to continue striking until Shs32b in allowance arrears is paid.
