Imran Kasujja, the Makerere University Guild Speaker has written a report proposing amendements in the Universities and Other Institutions Act that Museveni relied on to close the campus.
In a full report that he is to present to government and other stakeholders, Kasujja seeks an amendment to section 38 (1) – (6) of the Act so as to have the University Council of Makerere reduced from the initial 25 to 15 members.
He needs the council to be comprised of seven government representatives, two student representatives, one staff representative, one alumni and the rest selected to represent various social groups.
“Perhaps the biggest reason for the mismanagement and mal-administration in Makerere University is that the university council is too big,” he reasoned.
The university council which is solely responsible for playing an oversight role is merged with university management which he says is responsible for the status quo.
“You can not have people supervising themselves which is the current situation in the institution. Where are the checks and balances?” Kasujja wonders.
It is therefore not proper, according to his report, to include the two deputy vices chancellors, University Secretary, Chairman Appointments Board and other technocrats on the University Council.
The report that partly stemmed from findings by the “Toko Committee” which he himself set up analyses all Makerere woes from all perspectives.
“I very much built up on the recommendations of the Toko Committee which was set up to look into all the general students’ concerns at the Ivory Tower but you will appreciate that the problems of Makerere are not just about students. They are deep rooted and that is why we call for ammendment of the Act,” Imran added.
The committee is named after its chairman Godwin Toko Abunia, who is a GRC from the School of Law.
However, much as Kasujja’s arguments seem valid, it remains to be seen whether they will be considered by the responsible people or not.
You must be logged in to post a comment.