A letter from Makerere University’s Directorate of Human Resources has sparked debate after a lecturer seeking promotion was asked to provide a written explanation for recording 87.2 percent biometric attendance during the assessment period.
In the letter dated 30 January 2026, and signed by the Chief Human Resource Officer, Deus Tayari Mujuni, the University’s Appointments Board notes that while considering an application for promotion to the rank of Lecturer (Salary Scale PU6.1), it reviewed biometric attendance records for the period between 1 July 2025 and 10 December 2025. The records indicated an attendance level of 87.2 percent.
The lecturer, attached to the Department of Geomatics and Land Management in the School of Built Environment, College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT), has been formally required to submit a written explanation justifying the attendance figure. The explanation must reach the Office of the Chief Human Resource Officer by 6 February 2026.
The development has generated mixed reactions within academic and public circles, with some questioning whether biometric attendance thresholds are being applied rigidly in promotion processes, while others argue that accountability and presence are essential in public institutions.
Supporters of the measure say attendance tracking promotes discipline and ensures staff meet their teaching and administrative obligations. Critics, however, contend that academic work often extends beyond physical presence, including research, fieldwork, supervision, and scholarly engagement that may not always be captured by biometric systems.
Makerere University has not issued an additional public statement clarifying whether a specific attendance benchmark is required for promotion or how biometric data is weighed against research output, teaching effectiveness, and service.
As universities increasingly rely on digital monitoring tools, the case has reignited broader conversations about how best to measure academic productivity and performance in higher education institutions.
