MPs Grill Makerere University Leaders Over Harassment and Scholarships

Members of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) have expressed deep concern over persistent allegations of sexual harassment at Makerere University. During a parliamentary session examining the institution’s accountability and service delivery, lawmakers pressed university leaders on how they are safeguarding students.

Kabarole District Woman MP, Hon. Annet Kirungi, voiced the anxieties of parents who entrust the institution with their children’s safety. In response, University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda emphasized that the institution maintains a zero-tolerance policy. He noted that management has established investigative committees, requested affected parties to present evidence, and instructed implicated officers to step aside.

Aside from harassment claims, MPs scrutinized other operational challenges at the premier institution. Hon. Gilbert Olanya raised alarms regarding students granted State House scholarships who reportedly faced registration barriers, compelling some to abandon their studies. Kiranda clarified that the university exclusively registers beneficiaries officially verified and communicated by State House, though he promised to look into specific grievances.

Lawmakers also questioned curriculum updates, program accreditations, and a controversial management decision restricting student access to the historic Freedom Square. Committee Chairperson Hon. Patrick Nsamba argued that limiting access to the iconic grounds suppresses student leadership development and public discourse. Kiranda defended the policy, stating that advance booking requirements were introduced to prevent scheduling clashes among competing political, cultural, and academic groups.

Concluding the submissions, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance, Henry Alinaitwe, appealed for enhanced government financial support to elevate students’ welfare, specifically citing the current daily feeding allowance of Shs4,500 as inadequate.

For more details, read the original report on the Parliament of Uganda.