Speaker Anita Among has directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to provide an explanation for why Makerere University has gone eight years without appointing a substantive Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
This demand arose following a concern raised by Eddie Kwizera (Bukimbiri County) during the plenary sitting on February 20, 2025. Kwizera called on Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to address the staffing gaps at Makerere University, prompting the Speaker to further highlight that Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is also operating without a Deputy Principal.
Kwizera remarked, “Parliament allocates funds for all positions at Makerere University to be filled. However, for eight years now, there has been no substantive Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, and even more concerning, the Chief Registrar is currently doubling as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics. Can the Ministry of Education clarify why this position has remained vacant for so long?”
In response, Peter Ogwang, the Minister of State for Sports, pledged to present a statement addressing the matter at both Makerere University and MUBS, stating, “Allow me to bring a comprehensive statement responding to the question raised, and in that same statement, I will also address the situation at MUBS.”
Recently, Makerere University has faced intense scrutiny on social media over allegations of corruption and abuse of power, with reports suggesting that Buyinza Mukadasi has been occupying two key positions—serving both as the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics and as the University’s Academic Registrar.
Kwizera’s query comes at a time when Parliament’s Education Committee, in its report on the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper, has highlighted severe understaffing at public universities. Some institutions are reportedly operating with staffing levels as low as 10%, though the report primarily focused on academic staff rather than administrative leadership.
The report pointed out that Busitema University has an academic staffing level of just 10%, Muni University at 11%, Gulu University at 21%, while Kabale and Mbarara universities are at 25%. Kyambogo University’s staffing stands at 35%, requiring an additional UGX 54 billion to cover wage shortfalls. Makerere University, on the other hand, is functioning at only 40% staffing capacity.
Additionally, the parliamentary report warned that beyond staffing shortages, operations at both Makerere University and MUBS could be significantly hindered in the 2025/26 financial year due to impending budget cuts. MUBS has reported budget reductions amounting to UGX 8.04 billion, mainly affecting non-wage expenditures, which suffered a 17% reduction, and capital development, which saw a 27% cut.
Similarly, Makerere University faces a UGX 4.358 billion budget reduction, which is expected to impact the payment of student food and living allowances, teaching and learning activities, and the completion of ongoing capital development projects.
