The situation at Makerere University has caused politicians and opinion leaders to question Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe’s competence.
While appearing on NBS Front Line show, Salamu Msusumba last evening 24th January, 2019, expressed her disappointment on how the University is being run saying that the Vice Chancellor is leading the University as if it is a secondary school.
“I find what is happening in Makerere today a criminal act. It’s more like a secondary school with a headmaster. That is the brand we see now. I believe that the way the university lecturers call for strikes is not the same as taxi operators. There are enough systems in place and can be fixed if they are inadequate” Musumba said.
On the same show, Kalungu West MP Joseph Sewungu, DP president Nobert Mao, MAUSA Chairman Dr Kamunyu and Mr Ofwono Opondo also expressed their discontent in regards to what is transpiring at the University.
Mao said Makerere is a brand and Nawangwe should know that MUK was there before him and it will be there after him. It is important that he follows the law does not personalize issues. Prof. Nawangwe has adopted disruption as his leadership style. Bank of Uganda has been tackled; I think Makerere should be next. It seems to be a political problem and it will require strong political intervention. We as the former student leadership are trying to get together to see what we can do to support Makerere”
Sewungu said: “When Nawangwe was appointed Vice-Chancellor, I thought Makerere would improve. It disturbs me to see a Vice Chancellor behaving the way Nawangwe behaves.”
However, Ofwono Opondo defended Nawagwe saying that dismissing the incompetent lecturers was the best thing to do if the University is to record good performance.
Currently the University staff are on strike over issues of suspending their colleagues with no valid reasons. At the same time, the students are threatening to go on strike as well because they are missing out on some lectures and they see this as a waste of time caused by the Vice Chancellor’s actions.