M7 Appoints Visitation Committee to inquire into Affairs of Makerere University

M7 Appoints Visitation Committee to inquire into Affairs of Makerere University


By Serestino Tusingwire

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has appointed a nine-man visitation committee to inquire into the affairs of the now closed Makerere University.

President Museveni through his twitter handle has said; “In exercise of powers vested to me, I have appointed the following Visitation Committee to inquire into affairs of Makerere University.”

The committee will be chaired by Dr. Abel Rwendeire, who will be deputized by Lady Justice Keturah Katunguka.

Other members of the committee include Hon Tim Lwanga, Dr. Florence Muranga, Dr. Proscovia Sentamu, Mr. John F.S. Muwanga, Dr. Paul Musasizi, Dr. Kisoro and Eng. Lumu.

According to the president, the committee starts work with immediate effect.

Makerere University was closed a few weeks ago by President Museveni following a sit-down strike by the university’s academic staff over salary arrears amounting to Shs28bn.

Below is M7’s full message

14th November, 2016

The Chancellor

Makerere University, KAMPALA

RE:   APPOINTMENT OF A VISITATION COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO THE AFFAIRS OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

The above matter refers.

As you know, the nearly 40 million people of Uganda, are part of the presently 1.25 billion people of Africa. 

The African people have had a lot of problems in the last 2500 years. 

Without going into details, the African people have suffered from external invasions, slave trade, colonization and marginalization. 

They have also lagged behind in science and technology, yet they were the pioneers of civilization and knowledge (e.g. ancient Egypt). 

This is all in spite of sitting atop incredible natural resources in the form of agricultural land, forest resources, fresh water resources, ocean resources, hydro-power potential, minerals, etc. 

After valiantly resisting colonialism, assisted by some friendly forces in the world, the Africans started rolling back the phenomenon of colonialism in the 1950s. 

Nevertheless, although reasonable gains have been registered, the suffering of the African people continues in a number of places such as Libya, Nigeria, Congo-Kinshasa, Burundi, Somalia, Central African Republic, Mali, etc.,  in addition to the continued under development of many parts of the continent.

Scholarship, if it is not to be barren (enguumba), should make it its task to illuminate the causes of and the answers to these problems the African people have faced in the last 2500 years in both the social sciences and the natural sciences. 

They should, of course, also study the goings on, past and present, in the wider world, but never forgetting to focus on the problems of Africa and its constituent parts.

It is for these reasons that I am setting up a Visitation Committee to conduct an Enquiry into Makerere University. 

This is not the first time I have set upsuch a visitation committee.  The new committee will review the reports of the old committees, find out what was implemented or not implemented and why, as well as making new recommendations if necessary.

Therefore, In the Exercise of the Powers vested in the President by Section 26 of the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended, I have appointed a Visitation Committee of Inquiry into the affairs of the university. 

The Committee is comprised of the following:

  1. Dr. Abel Rwendeire –       Chairperson
  2. Lady Justice Keturah Katunguka –       Deputy Chairperson
  3. Hon. Tim Lwanga –       Member
  4. Dr. Florence Muranga –       Member
  5. Dr. Proscovia Namubiru Sentamu –       Member
  6. Mr. John F. S. Muwanga –       Member
  7. Dr. Paul Musasizi –       Member
  8. Dr. Kisoro –       Member
  9. Eng. Lumu –       Member

The Committee will commence work immediately.

Yoweri K. Museveni

P R E S I D E N T

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