In a press briefing held earlier today at Makerere University’s main building, the University’s Vice Chancellor professor Barnabas Nawangwe addressed a number of issues including sexual harassment, guild elections and other academic related issues concerning Uganda’s biggest University.
Among the key issues Nawangwe addressed was the University’s decision to scrap off evening lectures starting with the next academic year that kicks off in August. “During its meeting held 14th March 2018, the University council resolved that all new students (freshers) starting with the coming academic year 2018/2019, will be admitted to study various academic programs at Makerere University on either the day programme from 8:00am to 5:00pm or on the afternoon programme from 2:00pm to 6:00pm. Colleges are however allowed to run evening programmes after filling the minimum enrollment on day and afternoon programmes,” Nwangwe told journalists.
Nwangwe went ahead to reveal that all continuing students of Makerere University currently enrolled on the evening programmes will continue with their studies until successful completion. Following the University’s decision to allow continuing students to pursue their evening lessons, the administration has reached an agreement to continue remunerating staff offering services on the evening programme.
On Staff Incentives
Due to declining student numbers over the recent past years, the University Management Council communicated to its staff members that payment of staff incentives was not financially sustainable due to decline in revenue. “It is important to note that Makerere University internally generated revenue has dropped from UGX 120 billion to UGX 90 billion over the period of ten years” Nawangwe explained why they had to scrap off the staff incentive.
Nawangwe also revealed that scrapping off the staff incentive was among the suggestions made by the Makerere University visitation committee in a report submitted by the Deputy Chairperson of the Visitation committee, Justice Keturah Katunguka to President Museveni.
