Professors Damalie Nakanjako, a Professor of Medicine and Dean of the School of Medicine and Moses Joloba, a Professor of Molecular Biology, Immunology and Microbiology and Dean of the School of Biomedical Sciences have come out to show their interest in taking over the Principal’s job at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MakCHS).
The two Professors will be competing with the current Prof Charles Ibingira, whose term as Principal College of Health Sciences has expired.
Speaking of more candidates interested in serving the mentioned college, Dr. Isaac Kajja, an associate professor of Orthopedics and transfusion specialist is currently an unopposed candidate for the position of deputy principal.
The aspiring leaders have shown interest at a time when the College is facing challenges of examination malpractices and being highlighted by professional bodies as a non-compliant. As a result of doubting the college’s graduates, professional bodies were forced to have their graduates sit for special exams.
The two professors vying for the Principal job have vowed to improve the relations of the College and the professional bodies such as the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC).
It should be recalled that the East African Community of Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council announced last year that students graduating from Makerere University Dental School will have to sit an exam before they are allowed to practice dentistry in any East African Community (EAC) Member State.
According to Professor Joloba, Makerere College of Health Sciences is ranked second in Africa and number 250 globally whose record in producing quality medical practitioners remains unchallenged.
On the other hand, Professor Nakanjako says the professional bodies provide regulation and certification of an out of training service and that their work needs to be appreciated.
“Examinations for accreditation do not mean that we have poor quality and we cannot antagonize professional exams but our trainees are able to pass these exams highly. Because out trainees go and do professional exams in the UK, the US in South Africa and they pass them so we are not worried,” Nakanjako said.
The two candidates have all shown their support for the university’s zero tolerance to sexual harassment and vowed to resign if any of them was implicated in the growing vice.
The search Committee headed by Counsel Kiryowa Kiwanuka is expected to deliver its report to senate and council for approval by February this year.
