East Africa’s oldest and premier higher institution of learning, Makerere University, celebrated 100 years of existence last week.
Much has been said about Makerere University’s success over the past ten decades, but what about the future.
The recently concluded Makerere University centennial celebrations did speak volumes about Makerere University’s next ten decades.
While we celebrated Makerere University’s 100th anniversary, let us prepare our handkerchiefs, we shall mourn at the 200th anniversary.
Excuses of post-covid measures aside, it was disheartening to see empty seats of invitees at the monumental celebration.
Though few were invited, a good number of those invited turned down the invite, with many afraid for Makerere University’s present and future days.
For instance, a number of former guild presidents didn’t turn up. These argue that they wouldn’t celebrate while the Makerere University guild that made them what they are today – to be worth an invite, isn’t in existence.
While it was all praise for the past ten decades, Makerere University’s present chapter seems ugly.
A number of elites have of late castigated Makerere University for suppressing freedom of expression, with the highest number of suspended students being registered in the present regime.
Many have overtime called out Makerere University’s current vice chancellor to emulate iconic VCs like Frank Kalimuzo.
Makerere University, established to provide affordable education to the community, has of late become unaffordable.
In what can be termed as an attempt to cut off students from financially struggling families, Makerere University introduced a five year15% tuition increment policy that has seen hundreds drop out since its inception in 2018.
Makerere University is looking forward to reducing its already diminishing population to 25,000, a prospect that many will be denied chance to study from the institution.
Much as we cannot fairly speak about what we are only yet to witness, Makerere University’s present probably foreshadows a sad future.
