Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | As Makerere University prepares to reopen its Main Building, the University Council was given a guided tour by the contractor on Thursday 25, July 2024. The historic building, which was severely damaged by a fire in September 2020, is now two years behind schedule.
The blaze, according to a report from the Criminal Investigations Department and the Ministry of Works, was caused by a short circuit resulting from a faulty electrical system. The restoration work of Makerere University Main Building (the Ivory Tower), managed by Excel Construction Ltd., is expected to be completed later this year.
In a separate development, the Uganda Vice Chancellors Forum (UVCF) convened for its 73rd general meeting at Gulu University. Established in 1997, UVCF includes the leadership of 55 universities and degree-awarding institutions across Uganda. Despite its long history, the forum has struggled with visibility and influence.
Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo, the Executive Director of UVCF, emphasized the need for enhanced visibility to strengthen the forum’s role in shaping education policies and attracting government attention. He highlighted that without greater prominence, the forum’s impact on education policy and funding could be limited.
Prof. Lugujjo argued that a more visible UVCF would better support collective lobbying efforts for financing, curriculum reviews, and resources for private universities.
Currently, only 12 of Uganda’s 55 universities are public and receive government support. The remaining 43 private institutions often face resource constraints, affecting their operational capacity. Prof. George Openjuru Ladaah, the Vice Chancellor of Gulu University and Chairperson of UVCF, asserted that the forum could serve as a crucial platform for universities to negotiate with the government on higher education improvements.
He noted that a unified forum could enhance negotiations for tax waivers on educational materials and increased funding for public universities.
Prof. Joy Kwesiga, Vice Chancellor of Kabale University, pointed to the success of visible Vice Chancellors Forums in other countries, where they have significantly influenced educational policies and reduced university strikes. She stressed the importance of revitalizing UVCF to achieve similar outcomes in Uganda.
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Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe added that a well-organized forum could attract international attention and funding opportunities, such as grants from organizations like the MasterCard Foundation.
He highlighted that a unified forum is more likely to secure grants and scholarships compared to individual universities lobbying alone.
During the meeting, members agreed to increase the monthly membership subscription fee from two million to five million shillings to support the forum’s secretariat operations. This fee adjustment, the first in 20 years, aims to strengthen the forum’s capacity.
Looking ahead, UVCF plans to enhance its visibility by implementing robust data systems, developing a policy framework for doctoral training to address the PhD deficit, and advocating for government support in digitization efforts.
