education 11 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Makerere Veterinary Students Protest Over Month-Long Lecture Shortage
Students in Makerere University's College of Veterinary Medicine are up in arms after more than a month without lectures due to lecturer retirements, contract expirations, and study leaves without replacements. Final-year students fear delays in graduation as core practical courses remain untaught. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/makerere-veterinary-medicine-students-decry-lack-of-lectures-5420564
Students at Makerere University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVABs) have gone without lectures for over a month. The issue stems from several lecturers retiring, contracts not being renewed, and others taking study leave, with no new hires in place.
Years three, four, and five are hit hardest, especially finalists worried about their graduation timelines. Affected courses include surgery clinics rotations, reproductive herd health, udder management, assisted reproductive technologies, veterinary orthopedics, pathology lab work, and anatomy.
A total of 127 students are impacted: 54 finalists, 43 in year four, and 30 in year three. Final-year student Steven Kizza Ssemmanobe noted that key units like surgery, pathology, and reproduction haven’t started due to expired contracts.
The students sent a letter on March 30 to Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe requesting urgent recruitment for surgery and ambulatory clinics, but no action has followed. They’ve petitioned the administration multiple times without response.
Monica Lokwii, another finalist, expressed distress over missing field exposure in surgery rotations, blaming understaffing. Class rep Kaddu Nathanael and year-four student Lawrence Kato Kanyike echoed fears of poor comprehension and exam risks.
Named staff include non-renewed contracts for Dr. Patrick Mawadri (Surgery), Mr. Majid Kiseka (Pathology technician), Dr. Peter Waiswa (Anatomy), and Dr. Gerald Nizeyimana (Reproduction). Retirees are Prof. Charles Waiswa, Dr. Nassuna Namusoke, Prof. Jesca Nakavuma Lukanga, Assoc. Prof. Samuel Okello, and Dr. Ssengoba. Others on leave or departed: Dr. S G Okech, Dr. Dickson Tayebwa, and Dr. Paul Ssajjakambwe.
University spokesperson Eunice Rukundo stated no terminations occurred, recruitment is underway, and a plan exists to cover missed rotational programs using existing staff.
Students pay Shs2,044,056 tuition plus Shs860,955 functional fees per semester, demanding reliable practical training.
Source: Daily Monitor