Its week two now since the 2019/20 second semester at Makerere University commenced but there has not been any signs of serious business at the university. This is evidenced by empty lecture rooms, few students roaming around, some just seated in the green grass chilling without any thoughts about lectures.
The first week of the semester saw most of the lecture rooms closed, few students reporting to their halls of residences, others walking around the institution probably checking for timetables at their respective colleges and schools or heading for classes only to be welcomed by empty and locked rooms.
Despite it being week two of the semester, there hasn’t been so much change regarding the number of students at the institution. One custodian at Mary Stuart hall was overheard saying that this semester students have come in small numbers during the first week and it’s unusual. She commended students who came early as they went to pick room keys.
Some students have decided to keep in hostel rooms, chilling out and taking advantage of the fact that lecturers are not turning up to have some enjoyments, others who come from within Kampala have reported to campus but have gone back home because of lack of anything to occupy them.
It should be noted that the timetables were issued out in week one of the semester but one wonders why there isn’t any business going on at the institution. The few lecturers that have showed interest in teaching have since been disappointed by reaching class and are welcomed by chairs or a countable number of students which demotivates them. Others who show up at campus keep in their offices attending to other things.
“I came to campus on the official reporting date but I have since been roaming around because of lack of what to do.” One student who preferred anonymity told the Bee in an interview. He also added maybe lectures will commence in February because looks like they shall not have any productive work done in the remaining days of January.
Makerere University officially opened on the 18th of January 2020.
