There is total disaster and confusion at the two biggest public universities in Uganda, Makerere and Kyambogo. This confusion has been caused by the new management system dubbed ACMIS that has been adopted by the two public universities, replacing AIMS (Academic Information Management System) that was previously working well. Also worthy to note is that AIMS was being funded by the government of Uganda. The innovators of AIMS claim that their system was cloned and duplicated by John Okuonzi, the Kyambogo University Director of ICT and are deploying it at the two biggest public universities for financial gain.
Campus Bee on Monday broke a scandal about top Kyambogo University dons, including the vice chancellor Prof Eli Katunguka luring other public universities to migrate to their new system (ACMIS) that has turned out to be disastrous!
ACMIS frustrates Kyambogo graduands, students’ data lost
Hundreds of Kyambogo University finalists who set to graduate next week on September 21 have been left in tears as their names are missing on the graduation list. They have been told to wait for the next graduation because there was a delay in uploading of their marks onto the new system (ACMIS). “It is unfortunate that some of you are not on the graduation list yet you have full marks on the portal. This is because by the time the graduation list was compiled, you did not have all the marks. Kindly note that you will be able to get your transcript but you cannot be put on the list now. Time is past,” Dr Nanyonga, the head of the Chemistry Department in a scribbled notice pinned on the rickety notice boards of the university.
“AIMS was working well, why did Kyambogo decide to change to this new disastrous system (ACMIS) that has led to us losing our data and this whole confusion. If I don’t see my name on the graduation list, I will take Kyambogo to court,” an angry student whose name is missing on the graduation list told Campus Bee.
ACMIS causing confusion at Makerere University
The ploy by two Vice Chancellors, Prof Kantuguka (of Kyambogo) and Prof Nawangwe (of Makerere) to profiteer from the new ACMIS system seems to be backfiring. Now, Makerere University continuing students have been allowed to sit for exams before clearing tuition balances- a rare move by the Ivory Tower.
“The University is currently transitioning from the AIMS system to the ACMIS system. This means continuing students are unable to register and make tuition payments at this juncture,” the Makerere Bursar Evarist Bainomugisha in memo to all students dated 7th September 2021 said. “This is therefore to let continuing students know that that they can proceed and do their examinations but immediately register and make tuition payments as soon as ACMIS is activated,” he said.
Speaking to Campus Bee, the Minister in charge of ICT at Makeere University – Hon Gilbert Muhumuza raised worry over the new system to which the institution is migrating saying; some students may encounter deep challenges while adopting to it most especially during this time when they are home due to the schools closure.
“I am anticipating a situation of very many students being left behind on this system migration. I expect the University to serve communication to students once the new system is up and running and how best they can learn to use it” Muhumuza said.
The new system, ACMIS is currently being used by sister institution Kyambogo University which has since faced a number of glitches such as loss of marks, loss of transaction/payment records among others.
The Minister also raised a grievance of little/less involvement of student’s leaders when such changes are made at the Makerere. It’s his prayer that the administration including the ICT department involves designated campus ministers on matters regarding communications and decision making.
The outgoing AIMS was home to the students portal, results, payment logs among other features.
AIMS was unleashed over 3 years ago and has recorded a tremendous usage amongst most of the academic institutions in Uganda including Mbarara university, Kabale University and many others. Secondary schools are also beneficiaries of this system
The primary objective of the AIMS during its birth was to manage automation of results information, admissions and billing/payments for learners and stakeholders in the academia.
