Friady 15th Nov. 2008
ARU COUNTY MP Hon. Odonga Otto is considering quitting the political game because of the costs he has been paying since his first time in parliament eight years ago.
The youthful legislator said that for the past two months he had deliberately pulled out of the political scene so that he can have a different view of the world. He was addressing a Youth Alive conference at Makerere university on Friday.
“I am embarrased of being a member of parliament. Since I joined parliament eight years ago I have tried to work for the truth, but continued paying prices in the process” Otto said, adding that political immorality has hit Uganda hard.
Otto sighted instances where his efforts to fight corruption and other moral injustices had been frastrated.
“Recently, I tabled a motion on the abuse of CHOGM money clearly mentioning names of MPs who took the bribe, but I was surprised by being taken to the disciplinary committee as if I were the crimininal.” He said.
“All my friends who helped me in the research and investigation of the matter turned against me after taking another bribe. From that time, I avoided parliament, and said, let them continue to do what they are doing, as long as I get my salary”.
Otto also criticised the way the Temangalo land issue was handled by parliament. He said the indicted minister was not genuinely freed and yet he had contravened the leadership code of conduct.
“For political reasons I know Mbabazi was forced to apologise, NRM MPs who criticised him were warned,and silenced, then a surprise renunciation was made in parliament that the man has been cleared” he said.
Otto said that social organisations like Kampala Pentecostal Church where he also worships from is now the way to go in order to bring back good morals to the Country.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
RIOTING CANNOT SOLVE HIGH UNIVERSITY FEES
Tuesday,11/11/2008
NOVEMBER 6TH WAS a special day for Kenyans and indeed Africans the world over as the first black man of Kenyan origin became president of the most powerful country on earth.
Consequently, President Emilio Mwai Kibaki declared a national public holiday for Kenyans to celebrate the fact that their own son, Barack Hussein Obama a Luo man with origins from Kogelo in Kenya was voted president of the United States of America.
Across the East African region people spent a sleepless night celebrating the fall of key swing states to the Democratic candidate. Cheering, clapping, dancing and all sorts of excitement were the order of the day in Kenya and Uganda. In short, this was a day for contentment.
However Kenyan students at Makerere University in Uganda received this victory with mixed feelings, and instead of joining fellow country men to jubilate, they decided to take to the streets what they dubbed a discriminative action by the university administration against them.
The students blamed Makerere for charging them higher tuition, and functional fees compared to their Ugandan counterparts.
I thought it would be rationale to blame leaders of the East African Community for failing to settle such fee disparities in the regional institutions of learning. There has been much talk about streamlining fees for all students in the East African region, but it seems walking that talk is becoming difficult or even impossible.
I don’t think the university administration or even the Ugandan government shows any disfavour for the international students or Kenyans for that matter. But if there were such bad turn, well the law allows peaceful demonstration with the knowledge of law enforcement bodies like the police.
The Kenyan students’ riot I must say posed a big threat to the university administrative staff as they blocked the main gate and the entrance to the main building where most staff including the Vice Chancellor sits. In fact their display made it appear as though their demand was not genuine because they couldn’t even listen to any explanation during a meeting with the Vice Chancellor and the Kenyan Deputy High Commission Mr. Gitongo.
By booing and jeering at the commissioner, these young ladies and gentlemen made high the suspicion that some one could be trying to use them for the wrong reason – in the words of the Vice chancellor Prof. Livingstone Luboobi.
In fact a keen look at students who commanded the riot gave one an impression that their reason was not quite authentic.
First, their number was not convincing; they were few and scattered despite the great number of Kenyan students at the Campus. This makes one think the idea was possibly not fully supported. Secondly, from their faces and mood, you could easily tell that liquor was at work. Worse still, the employment of a petrol bomb even raises more serious questions.
It was the appearance of the rioters that made me believe what a Kenyan friend had earlier told me; that the riot was planned by those who spent the sleepless night at the bar drinking as they enjoyed the U.S vote results.
It is important to note that the problem of fees increments at Makerere this year affected every body. Even government-sponsored students were asked to pay more functional fees, on top of the state contribution, including paying for accommodation and feeding by themselves next semester if the proposed cost sharing decision is passed.
Ugandan private students petitioned parliament for the same. Thus, international students who think the cost is being bent their side are simply either being uninformed about the facts on the ground, or chasing a unique deal.
Yet in comparison to other universities in the region, Makerere is still among the cheapest even with the meager increments being contested.
Nairobi University College of Science recently amplified their tuition from Kshs93,000(about Ugshs2.2m) to a record Kshs540,000(about Ugshs12.9m) for national students per year.
Foreign students at Makerere pay an average of just 1.8m per year, which is pea nuts compared to what Kenyan nationals pay at Nairobi University;
At Moi University, citizen students part with Kshs200,000(about Ugshs4.8m) per year on average for tuition. Meanwhile Kenyatta University tuition for Kenyans is Kshs86,000(about Ugshs2.1m) on average which is still much higher than what Makerere demands, and yet all these universities also have different fees structures for students from other countries. They also have functional fees.
Therefore, instead of rioting and plotting to destroy structures and disorganise individuals in the administration, it would be wise for students to find a bigger platform beyond the office of a mere employee in the capacity of the Vice chancellor to table such grievances. I believe it’s high time leaders of the East African Federation are put to task on matters pertaining education in the region.
NOVEMBER 6TH WAS a special day for Kenyans and indeed Africans the world over as the first black man of Kenyan origin became president of the most powerful country on earth.
Consequently, President Emilio Mwai Kibaki declared a national public holiday for Kenyans to celebrate the fact that their own son, Barack Hussein Obama a Luo man with origins from Kogelo in Kenya was voted president of the United States of America.
Across the East African region people spent a sleepless night celebrating the fall of key swing states to the Democratic candidate. Cheering, clapping, dancing and all sorts of excitement were the order of the day in Kenya and Uganda. In short, this was a day for contentment.
However Kenyan students at Makerere University in Uganda received this victory with mixed feelings, and instead of joining fellow country men to jubilate, they decided to take to the streets what they dubbed a discriminative action by the university administration against them.
The students blamed Makerere for charging them higher tuition, and functional fees compared to their Ugandan counterparts.
I thought it would be rationale to blame leaders of the East African Community for failing to settle such fee disparities in the regional institutions of learning. There has been much talk about streamlining fees for all students in the East African region, but it seems walking that talk is becoming difficult or even impossible.
I don’t think the university administration or even the Ugandan government shows any disfavour for the international students or Kenyans for that matter. But if there were such bad turn, well the law allows peaceful demonstration with the knowledge of law enforcement bodies like the police.
The Kenyan students’ riot I must say posed a big threat to the university administrative staff as they blocked the main gate and the entrance to the main building where most staff including the Vice Chancellor sits. In fact their display made it appear as though their demand was not genuine because they couldn’t even listen to any explanation during a meeting with the Vice Chancellor and the Kenyan Deputy High Commission Mr. Gitongo.
By booing and jeering at the commissioner, these young ladies and gentlemen made high the suspicion that some one could be trying to use them for the wrong reason – in the words of the Vice chancellor Prof. Livingstone Luboobi.
In fact a keen look at students who commanded the riot gave one an impression that their reason was not quite authentic.
First, their number was not convincing; they were few and scattered despite the great number of Kenyan students at the Campus. This makes one think the idea was possibly not fully supported. Secondly, from their faces and mood, you could easily tell that liquor was at work. Worse still, the employment of a petrol bomb even raises more serious questions.
It was the appearance of the rioters that made me believe what a Kenyan friend had earlier told me; that the riot was planned by those who spent the sleepless night at the bar drinking as they enjoyed the U.S vote results.
It is important to note that the problem of fees increments at Makerere this year affected every body. Even government-sponsored students were asked to pay more functional fees, on top of the state contribution, including paying for accommodation and feeding by themselves next semester if the proposed cost sharing decision is passed.
Ugandan private students petitioned parliament for the same. Thus, international students who think the cost is being bent their side are simply either being uninformed about the facts on the ground, or chasing a unique deal.
Yet in comparison to other universities in the region, Makerere is still among the cheapest even with the meager increments being contested.
Nairobi University College of Science recently amplified their tuition from Kshs93,000(about Ugshs2.2m) to a record Kshs540,000(about Ugshs12.9m) for national students per year.
Foreign students at Makerere pay an average of just 1.8m per year, which is pea nuts compared to what Kenyan nationals pay at Nairobi University;
At Moi University, citizen students part with Kshs200,000(about Ugshs4.8m) per year on average for tuition. Meanwhile Kenyatta University tuition for Kenyans is Kshs86,000(about Ugshs2.1m) on average which is still much higher than what Makerere demands, and yet all these universities also have different fees structures for students from other countries. They also have functional fees.
Therefore, instead of rioting and plotting to destroy structures and disorganise individuals in the administration, it would be wise for students to find a bigger platform beyond the office of a mere employee in the capacity of the Vice chancellor to table such grievances. I believe it’s high time leaders of the East African Federation are put to task on matters pertaining education in the region.
Monday, November 3, 2008
MUK GOVERNMENT STUDENTS OPPOSE FEEDING OPTION
4/11/2008
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY government sponsored students have opposed the administrative decision to put an end to feeding in the halls of residence.
In a letter to the University Council on Monday, leaders of the scholarship recipients led by Students’ Guild Representatives; James Onying and Samuel Mafabi, stated:
“We government students body have agreed in principle after consultations with various stakeholders that the intended move by the university council to outsource feeding of students in halls of residence be suspended.”
Last week the university administrators made a request to parliament seeking an immediate and permanent end to students feeding and accommodation facilities.
The university secretary, Sam Akorimo told parliament that feeding and accommodation of students at the university was becoming difficult, and yet their main function was teaching.
“Our job is not to feed students. The core function of Makerere University is only teaching, research and outreach,” he said, adding that feeding and accommodation was causing a financial gamble to the university.
“We cannot continue feeding students with the rising food prices yet the government gives us fixed amount. Shs160 million we get from government every year for development can not maintain the dilapidated halls of residence.” Akorimo told parliament.
Recently the dean of students, John Ekudu in a circular informed government students in the different halls of residence to present their bank account numbers to allow the university deposit for them a feeding allowance beginning next semester when feeding in the halls will be no more.
Students have rubbished the proposal saying the amount of shs.2,050 decided to feed each student per day was tool little.
On average, food at Makerere university costs between sh.1,500 and sh.2,000 a meal. “This is a public university and it should work for us not against us” they stated in a letter.
END
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY government sponsored students have opposed the administrative decision to put an end to feeding in the halls of residence.
In a letter to the University Council on Monday, leaders of the scholarship recipients led by Students’ Guild Representatives; James Onying and Samuel Mafabi, stated:
“We government students body have agreed in principle after consultations with various stakeholders that the intended move by the university council to outsource feeding of students in halls of residence be suspended.”
Last week the university administrators made a request to parliament seeking an immediate and permanent end to students feeding and accommodation facilities.
The university secretary, Sam Akorimo told parliament that feeding and accommodation of students at the university was becoming difficult, and yet their main function was teaching.
“Our job is not to feed students. The core function of Makerere University is only teaching, research and outreach,” he said, adding that feeding and accommodation was causing a financial gamble to the university.
“We cannot continue feeding students with the rising food prices yet the government gives us fixed amount. Shs160 million we get from government every year for development can not maintain the dilapidated halls of residence.” Akorimo told parliament.
Recently the dean of students, John Ekudu in a circular informed government students in the different halls of residence to present their bank account numbers to allow the university deposit for them a feeding allowance beginning next semester when feeding in the halls will be no more.
Students have rubbished the proposal saying the amount of shs.2,050 decided to feed each student per day was tool little.
On average, food at Makerere university costs between sh.1,500 and sh.2,000 a meal. “This is a public university and it should work for us not against us” they stated in a letter.
END
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A MAN SURVIVES MUK MOB JUSTICE
A MAN who stole a computer, a phone and money survived death by mob justice at Makerere University on Thursday, 22.
John Katumesigye 27 of Kamwanyi zone, Nsambya was badly beaten by university students at the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (FCIT) for stealing a laptop, shs.50,000 and a mobile phone
Students who were around said Katumesigye disguised as a student before entering a lecture room, sat and attended a lecture that was going on.
Students said immediately after the lecture, confident Katumesigye who was seated at the back of the class picked a bag, which carried a laptop, a Nokia phone and money belonging to a third year student.
When grilled by the police who rescued him, the thief said one; Moses Ssekagya drove him to the campus and asked him to perform the task at a fee of shs.10000. He said Ssekagya is a student at the university, but he doesn’t know his residence.
Furious students struggled with police guards at the university to have the man killed before Wandegeya police pick-up truck arrived. Police shifty put him on the truck and sped off.
Students’ Dean John Ekudu described the incident as a phenomenon in every normal society.
“Like any society, we are bound to experience such a thing. It is an occurrence in any normal society. There is nothing much that can make us an exception,” Ekudu said.
This is not the first case of theft at the Faculty. Students’ Faculty President John Wekesa said this semester alone over 40 cases of theft were reported, with 25 being cases of laptops.
END
John Katumesigye 27 of Kamwanyi zone, Nsambya was badly beaten by university students at the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (FCIT) for stealing a laptop, shs.50,000 and a mobile phone
Students who were around said Katumesigye disguised as a student before entering a lecture room, sat and attended a lecture that was going on.
Students said immediately after the lecture, confident Katumesigye who was seated at the back of the class picked a bag, which carried a laptop, a Nokia phone and money belonging to a third year student.
When grilled by the police who rescued him, the thief said one; Moses Ssekagya drove him to the campus and asked him to perform the task at a fee of shs.10000. He said Ssekagya is a student at the university, but he doesn’t know his residence.
Furious students struggled with police guards at the university to have the man killed before Wandegeya police pick-up truck arrived. Police shifty put him on the truck and sped off.
Students’ Dean John Ekudu described the incident as a phenomenon in every normal society.
“Like any society, we are bound to experience such a thing. It is an occurrence in any normal society. There is nothing much that can make us an exception,” Ekudu said.
This is not the first case of theft at the Faculty. Students’ Faculty President John Wekesa said this semester alone over 40 cases of theft were reported, with 25 being cases of laptops.
END
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
ARMED MEN ATTEMPT FORCEFUL EVICTION
By Robert E. Owiny Monday 13/10/08
THERE WAS pandemonium in Mukwenda zone near Makerere university, Kawempe division on Monday morning, when an unknown armed men stormed residence and begun demolishing their houses.
According to John Muwanguzi a resident of the area, the intruders came with guns and a grader number UAH 400 and threatened to shoot anybody who tried to oppose their work.
However Muwanguzi said residence awoke immediately on realising the mess and confronted the intruders with pangas and sticks before police at Wandegeya intervened at dawn.
Two people were wounded in the fracas including the area LC1 chairperson George Ssekiyunga and Junior Balam, a retail businessman. Residence alleged that the former was beaten up because he has been involved in the attempt to sale their land.
Area Member of Parliament Ssebuliba Mutumba said the land has been under claims by different people who present strange documents from different courts and authorities.
“A lot has been said about that land. Different groups have been claiming the land using different documents which are highly contentious. On this particular night the people who came, am told were on police uniform, and even the police is not aware of the group” Mutumba said.
District Police Comander Wandegeya Police, Phillip Acaye said the people in charge of the mayhem are not yet identified but the Grader and some suspects are in police custody, adding that full investigation is going on. END.
MP RIDES ON STUDENTS TO ESCAPE ARREST
Tuesday, 14TH OCT. 2008
DRAMA ENSUED at Makerere University on Tuesday afternoon, when Bukomansimbi County MP, Iddi Lubyayi Kisiki mobilised students to rescue him from an arrest by Moses Kirunda, a court bailiff sent from the High Court.
The court bailiff said that Kisiski was wanted by the court for failure to pay a court fee worth shs13.5 million, but declined to mention what that money was for.
The legislator argued that Kirunda is a stranger who wants to seize his car, and threaten his life for no reason. He also alleged that the arrest documents the bailiff was holding is forged, and students should investigate the man, adding that he possessed an illegal gun.
Students at Nkrumah hall bullied the enormous courtman for half an hour before the intervention of Wandegeya DPC, Phillip Acaye who rescued the situation by forcefully driving the MP off to the police post.
“Where did you get those forged papers from, and what power do you have to arrest me, and for what? You came with a gun to hijack me?” Kisiski yelled, as students shouted in his support.
Students asked Kirunda to produce his identity card, and to prove that the arrest warrants he possessed was genuine amidst noise from another mob demanding that the court person be beaten up and his car smashed.
Guild president, Robert Rutaro tried to explain to students that Kirunda was genuine, but to no avail. It was DPC Acaye who broke the noise when he came with escorts and drove the duo away.
However at Wandegeya Police station, the clash turned into a three-man show, upon the sudden arrival of Kampala Central MP, Elias Lugwago.
Lugwago told his fellow legislator that a man of Kirunda’s Caliber has full control over any body, once he is holding a warrant from the high court, adding that Kisiki should not try to minimise him (Kirunda).
“When it comes to civil matters, he has full powers to arrest any body. You cannot escape, because you are not above the law,” Lukwago said to the displeasure of his colleague.
“Lukwago you are not going to kill me! You are talking absolute nonsense. How can you say that crook has powers to arrest me?” Kisisiki shouted.
“But the arrest warrant is the authority, there is nothing much you can do. Simply abide by his command” Lugwago answered.
The DPC ordered the team, to report to Kampala Central police, which is in charge of the representative’s case.
The clash between MP Lukwago and Kisiki is not new. The brawl of the two politicians started last year, during a court battle where Lukwago, a lawyer was in defense of an allegation that the Masaka MP, lacked proper academic qualifications to run as Member of Parliament. Lukwago had also asked the Court of Apearl to dismiss Kisiki's case with costs.
END
DRAMA ENSUED at Makerere University on Tuesday afternoon, when Bukomansimbi County MP, Iddi Lubyayi Kisiki mobilised students to rescue him from an arrest by Moses Kirunda, a court bailiff sent from the High Court.
The court bailiff said that Kisiski was wanted by the court for failure to pay a court fee worth shs13.5 million, but declined to mention what that money was for.
The legislator argued that Kirunda is a stranger who wants to seize his car, and threaten his life for no reason. He also alleged that the arrest documents the bailiff was holding is forged, and students should investigate the man, adding that he possessed an illegal gun.
Students at Nkrumah hall bullied the enormous courtman for half an hour before the intervention of Wandegeya DPC, Phillip Acaye who rescued the situation by forcefully driving the MP off to the police post.
“Where did you get those forged papers from, and what power do you have to arrest me, and for what? You came with a gun to hijack me?” Kisiski yelled, as students shouted in his support.
Students asked Kirunda to produce his identity card, and to prove that the arrest warrants he possessed was genuine amidst noise from another mob demanding that the court person be beaten up and his car smashed.
Guild president, Robert Rutaro tried to explain to students that Kirunda was genuine, but to no avail. It was DPC Acaye who broke the noise when he came with escorts and drove the duo away.
However at Wandegeya Police station, the clash turned into a three-man show, upon the sudden arrival of Kampala Central MP, Elias Lugwago.
Lugwago told his fellow legislator that a man of Kirunda’s Caliber has full control over any body, once he is holding a warrant from the high court, adding that Kisiki should not try to minimise him (Kirunda).
“When it comes to civil matters, he has full powers to arrest any body. You cannot escape, because you are not above the law,” Lukwago said to the displeasure of his colleague.
“Lukwago you are not going to kill me! You are talking absolute nonsense. How can you say that crook has powers to arrest me?” Kisisiki shouted.
“But the arrest warrant is the authority, there is nothing much you can do. Simply abide by his command” Lugwago answered.
The DPC ordered the team, to report to Kampala Central police, which is in charge of the representative’s case.
The clash between MP Lukwago and Kisiki is not new. The brawl of the two politicians started last year, during a court battle where Lukwago, a lawyer was in defense of an allegation that the Masaka MP, lacked proper academic qualifications to run as Member of Parliament. Lukwago had also asked the Court of Apearl to dismiss Kisiki's case with costs.
END
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Is There Need to Invest Financially in a Campus Relationship?
TIP Weekly Debate
BY ROBERT EMMANUEL OWINY
BY ROBERT EMMANUEL OWINY
WE LIVE in an era where every thing has got its price, yes for this reason there is no running away from using money in the process of finding and or maintaining a love partner.
But a love affair is like a business enterprise under the management of two people, where the capital and profits are equally shared between the two owners. If this is agreed, there is no way one should fail to find good reason in spending money in a love deal, more so at the highest institution of learning where every one knows the role money plays in promoting growth.
Like a business venture, for a love affair to thrive, lovers need to meet operational expenses. They should therefore have some cash to do such things as making calls, going for outing – could be for a movie show, a dance, go shopping for each other, or buy gifts like birthday cards, valentine presents and the like. Here the giving and receiving should really balance between the two parties if the ideal situation for people who care about each other is to be achieved.
However the disastrous situation on the ground is that Campus ladies don’t believe that love grows by sharing, they wrongly and permanently take it that a relationship grows through giving by a boy and receiving by a girl – this is the major cause of accidents in this industry. University ladies concentrate on exploiting and cheating their boyfriends without any fear not even favour because they unreasonably crave for ‘loaded’ guys.
I believe with cost sharing things can be pleasant, but where a girl leaves every thing in the hands of a boy it becomes terrible. This statement: “I need a guy who is ready to invest in me” is very common in the mouths of university ladies. This means, genuine love is not what they want they fancy material love.
My view is that a girl should finance a boy if her pocket allows and a boy similarly. The erroneous belief that boys are always to fund every thing, cannot work at Campus. For instance if I come from a very poor family deep in Nakapiripirit district, and Tracy my fiancé is a minister’s daughter, will it be logical for her to rely on me for every monetary need of our rapport?
Genuine lovers should always embrace cost sharing and understand each other. The conformist idea of putting female persons in the same spot with children is no more in the contemporary world. What is the crusade for women empowerment for? Campus ladies should interpret this faster!
Remember the bottom line remains: with today’s sky high cost of living, there is no way you can expect your partner to continue trusting you with a padlock at your pocket. As such, it is only circumspect (yes, reach out for the dictionary) for one to yearn for a date whose status equals his or hers because to strengthen the affection we must spend, and to make it last we must share the cost.
Friday, October 10, 2008
MAKERERE TO REINSTATE MATURE AGE ENTRY SCHEME
ADULTS WHO missed opportunity for University education have been given a second chance to join Makerere University two years from now, the University registrar in charge of Mature Age Entry Scheme, Herbert Bataamye has said.
The scheme was suspended last year after fraud was discovered in its administration. Consequently the Senate, which is the university’s top academic body, set up a committee to review the system.
In a report presented to Senate on October 8th, the committee recommended that the program be reinstated in academic year 2010/2011, with new operational policies suggested to overcome the irregularities, which brought inconsistency previously.
The committee proposed that an examination committee be set to handle the setting and marking of exams, instead of the old method where one person performed this task. The committee noted that formerly, students easily bribed the person in charge to pass exams, even when they had failed.
The team has resolved that examination questions should be set from a question bank, a compilation of past papers, to enable examiners have a variety of questions if the practice of buying exams is to be dealt with.
It was also discovered that there was scam in the collection of application fees previously. Students paid fees without any specifications of the functions. From now on, students shall pay fees for: setting questions, invigilating, typing and printing of exams, marking, and purchase of examination materials.
“It is hereby recommended that the university shall review the application fee regularly so that the scheme is self-financing without profit motive,” the report read.
The board discovered another loophole in the admission process, “the quota on the private scheme was not highlighted in the literatures on mature age,” which resulted in illegal admissions.
The panel recommended that even the government sponsorship quota scheme of 5% be reviewed regularly by the Senate to streamline the admission process.
The scheme which started in 1963, under the University of East Africa, aimed at giving an opportunity to exceptionally well qualified candidates who wished to study for a degree of any of the East African universities, and who did not possess qualifications which satisfied the universities’ entrance requirements.
Makerere University admitted over 1,500 students to the scheme every year, on both government and private sponsorship. But in January 2007, the university set up a committee to probe reports that students with no qualifications had been admitted on the government sponsorship scheme. The Senate therefore decided to suspend the Scheme for two years. Another committee was again set up to review the admission procedure.
END.
The scheme was suspended last year after fraud was discovered in its administration. Consequently the Senate, which is the university’s top academic body, set up a committee to review the system.
In a report presented to Senate on October 8th, the committee recommended that the program be reinstated in academic year 2010/2011, with new operational policies suggested to overcome the irregularities, which brought inconsistency previously.
The committee proposed that an examination committee be set to handle the setting and marking of exams, instead of the old method where one person performed this task. The committee noted that formerly, students easily bribed the person in charge to pass exams, even when they had failed.
The team has resolved that examination questions should be set from a question bank, a compilation of past papers, to enable examiners have a variety of questions if the practice of buying exams is to be dealt with.
It was also discovered that there was scam in the collection of application fees previously. Students paid fees without any specifications of the functions. From now on, students shall pay fees for: setting questions, invigilating, typing and printing of exams, marking, and purchase of examination materials.
“It is hereby recommended that the university shall review the application fee regularly so that the scheme is self-financing without profit motive,” the report read.
The board discovered another loophole in the admission process, “the quota on the private scheme was not highlighted in the literatures on mature age,” which resulted in illegal admissions.
The panel recommended that even the government sponsorship quota scheme of 5% be reviewed regularly by the Senate to streamline the admission process.
The scheme which started in 1963, under the University of East Africa, aimed at giving an opportunity to exceptionally well qualified candidates who wished to study for a degree of any of the East African universities, and who did not possess qualifications which satisfied the universities’ entrance requirements.
Makerere University admitted over 1,500 students to the scheme every year, on both government and private sponsorship. But in January 2007, the university set up a committee to probe reports that students with no qualifications had been admitted on the government sponsorship scheme. The Senate therefore decided to suspend the Scheme for two years. Another committee was again set up to review the admission procedure.
END.
Do Campus Ladies Dress Indecently To Entice Men?
TIP Weekly Debate
BY ROBERT EMMANUEL OWINY
Recently the local media was awash with stories of indecorous dressing by ladies in higher academic institutions in the country. Much focus was given to major universities, with special reference to Makerere University, which is also the biggest academic establishment in the great lakes region.
The media reported that female students have embraced such mode of dressing as; mini-skirts, britches, see-me through skirts and dresses, skin tights, tops with blank spaces that expose their breasts and the like. This fashion is reportedly discomforting in an educational environment since it daunts the opposite sex. Indeed it is so!
It is important to remember that these awkward styles are not a creation of the African people; it is an invention of the white man. The indoctrination we get from western movies, novels, newspapers or media at large has caused the muddle that makes us forget the values of our sundry culture.
What this means is that, indirect colonialism or neo-colonialism in our country and indeed the whole black continent is at full gear. It is unfortunate that despite the colonial slur that Africans suffered more than 50 years ago, they (Africans) have continued to cherish the western way of doing things without much questioning.
However, one thing is clear; western fashion is influenced by the recommendation, and or the way their culture is set, and how it operates. In other words what might be mortification in the eyes of a conventional African might just be a normal thing in the eyes of a white man. If the whites cannot copy the African fashion, why then should Africans run for theirs?
Therefore our African sisters at high levels of learning dress indecently on purpose. Apparently, all these young women are perceptive about the expectations and limitations of the African mores. Surely, there is no other explicable reason why Campus ladies dress the way they do apart from the obvious need to attract attention of their male counterparts.
What triggers this loss of nerve in ladies is the itch to initiate a relationship. It’s common knowledge that a lady always finds it hard to convince a guy verbally to love her, and if she is again not sure of what her mom gave her (natural beauty), the only remaining option is to go artificial. As such she begins doing every thing within her means to create a visual impression to the chap so that he can sway towards her.
Again ladies believe that their rude way of dressing stimulates their love partners. One point they miss here is that, true love doesn’t really blossom in the open but rather lives deep in our hearts and minds. So most of them go for this half necked way of dressing because they ludicrously think it’s a means to fire up their men. Reader, you know this point may work in bedrooms only. Now ask yourself, what makes our friends want to appear the same way in every environment? Does it mean they want it every time and any where?
I think it’s prudent for our sisters in this generation to embrace a more uncluttered way of asking for ‘things’ instead of fighting our moral values through nasty dressing in the ploy of fashion.
BY ROBERT EMMANUEL OWINY
Recently the local media was awash with stories of indecorous dressing by ladies in higher academic institutions in the country. Much focus was given to major universities, with special reference to Makerere University, which is also the biggest academic establishment in the great lakes region.
The media reported that female students have embraced such mode of dressing as; mini-skirts, britches, see-me through skirts and dresses, skin tights, tops with blank spaces that expose their breasts and the like. This fashion is reportedly discomforting in an educational environment since it daunts the opposite sex. Indeed it is so!
It is important to remember that these awkward styles are not a creation of the African people; it is an invention of the white man. The indoctrination we get from western movies, novels, newspapers or media at large has caused the muddle that makes us forget the values of our sundry culture.
What this means is that, indirect colonialism or neo-colonialism in our country and indeed the whole black continent is at full gear. It is unfortunate that despite the colonial slur that Africans suffered more than 50 years ago, they (Africans) have continued to cherish the western way of doing things without much questioning.
However, one thing is clear; western fashion is influenced by the recommendation, and or the way their culture is set, and how it operates. In other words what might be mortification in the eyes of a conventional African might just be a normal thing in the eyes of a white man. If the whites cannot copy the African fashion, why then should Africans run for theirs?
Therefore our African sisters at high levels of learning dress indecently on purpose. Apparently, all these young women are perceptive about the expectations and limitations of the African mores. Surely, there is no other explicable reason why Campus ladies dress the way they do apart from the obvious need to attract attention of their male counterparts.
What triggers this loss of nerve in ladies is the itch to initiate a relationship. It’s common knowledge that a lady always finds it hard to convince a guy verbally to love her, and if she is again not sure of what her mom gave her (natural beauty), the only remaining option is to go artificial. As such she begins doing every thing within her means to create a visual impression to the chap so that he can sway towards her.
Again ladies believe that their rude way of dressing stimulates their love partners. One point they miss here is that, true love doesn’t really blossom in the open but rather lives deep in our hearts and minds. So most of them go for this half necked way of dressing because they ludicrously think it’s a means to fire up their men. Reader, you know this point may work in bedrooms only. Now ask yourself, what makes our friends want to appear the same way in every environment? Does it mean they want it every time and any where?
I think it’s prudent for our sisters in this generation to embrace a more uncluttered way of asking for ‘things’ instead of fighting our moral values through nasty dressing in the ploy of fashion.
MAKERERE SPLITS FEES PAYMENT
MAKERERE SPLITS FEES PAYMENT
By Robert OwinyFriday 12/9/2008
The issue of fees payments at Makerere University is developing into a big and complex question. Apart from hiking what students must pay this academic year, the University has created new Bank accounts for the payment of the various fees type.
In a circular the University bursar Ben Byambabazi directed students to use three separate accounts in fees clearance.
A source in the accounts department who preferred anonymity said the new system was meant for the first year students only, adding that the continuing students are ignorantly following it.
Previously every fees payment would go into one account, this year two separate bank accounts have been created for the payment of functional fees, and accommodation fees differently. Only tuition fees are to be paid in the old account.
The University Guild president Robert Rutaro noted that this decision is exploitative since students end up paying more money for Bank charges yet the amount of functional fees have also been increased.
“This is very unfortunate; the university administration is imposing more cost on students without clear justification. It is really inconveniencing especially to the private sponsored students” Rutaro said.
However the University Senior Public Relations Officer Gilbert Kadilo dismissed this complain by calling it “a normal institutional accounts procedure”.
By Robert OwinyFriday 12/9/2008
The issue of fees payments at Makerere University is developing into a big and complex question. Apart from hiking what students must pay this academic year, the University has created new Bank accounts for the payment of the various fees type.
In a circular the University bursar Ben Byambabazi directed students to use three separate accounts in fees clearance.
A source in the accounts department who preferred anonymity said the new system was meant for the first year students only, adding that the continuing students are ignorantly following it.
Previously every fees payment would go into one account, this year two separate bank accounts have been created for the payment of functional fees, and accommodation fees differently. Only tuition fees are to be paid in the old account.
The University Guild president Robert Rutaro noted that this decision is exploitative since students end up paying more money for Bank charges yet the amount of functional fees have also been increased.
“This is very unfortunate; the university administration is imposing more cost on students without clear justification. It is really inconveniencing especially to the private sponsored students” Rutaro said.
However the University Senior Public Relations Officer Gilbert Kadilo dismissed this complain by calling it “a normal institutional accounts procedure”.
MUK ADMINISTRATORS SPEAK OUT ON FEES MATTER
MAKERERE ADMINISTRATORS SPEAK OUT ON FEES MATTER
By Robert Owiny 17/9/2008
(0772606614)
Makerere university private students pay the lowest tuition fees compared to all other private institutions in the country, Mathew Rukikaire, the chairman university council has said.
Addressing students’ leaders on the current financial status of the institution yesterday, Rukikaire observed that Makerere lectures are fully paid by the government, not like those in private universities who have to be paid using fees collections from the students.
He noted that the present financial crisis at the university emanates from the global economic inflation, which has affected every sector, adding that unless government improves on income generating activities which can help parents get enough money, students’ complaints are in vain.
“You are arguing about the fees you pay, but people after you will pay more than you are paying. This is a fact of life, the private students will continue paying more money, the money you pay is pea nut compared to fees for other universities like Mukono,” he said.
Rukikaire who is also a former minister of finance criticized the students’ decision to present a petition to parliament on the internal matters of the university, saying the university council could easily tackle the problem.
“If the petition was addressed to the university council it would have been better because it would get a better hearing than to go and sit and listen to parliament. You forget that the same parliament and government were responsible for enacting a law which gives council powers to handle such issues,” he said.
Vice chancellor prof. Livingstone Luboobi told students that the Carnerje Corporation of New York, the company that funded the construction of the new University library, compelled the introduction of technology fee.
“After phase one of the construction the company promised to continue only after receiving the University’s contribution. We didn’t have the money and yet we couldn’t lose the chance,” Luboobi said.
He added that the ministry of finance and ministry of education gave the university a go ahead to get a loan and design a method of paying for it through fees collections.
The university dean of students John Ekudu explained the reason for splitting fees Bank accounts. He said the old method of paying every fee in one Bank account was inefficient because making accountability for different departments was difficult and time consuming. He said that a separate account for the students’S halls of residence would support the urgent need to rehabilitate them.
Recently, Makerere university students presented a petition before parliament concerning the inconsistencies with the university administration and policies. Crucial among the issues they raised were fees structures.
By Robert Owiny 17/9/2008
(0772606614)
Makerere university private students pay the lowest tuition fees compared to all other private institutions in the country, Mathew Rukikaire, the chairman university council has said.
Addressing students’ leaders on the current financial status of the institution yesterday, Rukikaire observed that Makerere lectures are fully paid by the government, not like those in private universities who have to be paid using fees collections from the students.
He noted that the present financial crisis at the university emanates from the global economic inflation, which has affected every sector, adding that unless government improves on income generating activities which can help parents get enough money, students’ complaints are in vain.
“You are arguing about the fees you pay, but people after you will pay more than you are paying. This is a fact of life, the private students will continue paying more money, the money you pay is pea nut compared to fees for other universities like Mukono,” he said.
Rukikaire who is also a former minister of finance criticized the students’ decision to present a petition to parliament on the internal matters of the university, saying the university council could easily tackle the problem.
“If the petition was addressed to the university council it would have been better because it would get a better hearing than to go and sit and listen to parliament. You forget that the same parliament and government were responsible for enacting a law which gives council powers to handle such issues,” he said.
Vice chancellor prof. Livingstone Luboobi told students that the Carnerje Corporation of New York, the company that funded the construction of the new University library, compelled the introduction of technology fee.
“After phase one of the construction the company promised to continue only after receiving the University’s contribution. We didn’t have the money and yet we couldn’t lose the chance,” Luboobi said.
He added that the ministry of finance and ministry of education gave the university a go ahead to get a loan and design a method of paying for it through fees collections.
The university dean of students John Ekudu explained the reason for splitting fees Bank accounts. He said the old method of paying every fee in one Bank account was inefficient because making accountability for different departments was difficult and time consuming. He said that a separate account for the students’S halls of residence would support the urgent need to rehabilitate them.
Recently, Makerere university students presented a petition before parliament concerning the inconsistencies with the university administration and policies. Crucial among the issues they raised were fees structures.
MAKERERE INTRODUCES ONLINE REGISTRATION
MAKERERE INTRODUCES ONLINE REGISTRATION
By Robert Owiny 6th October 2008
The problem of long queuing during students’ registration time at Makerere university will soon be history after the introduction of a new method which enables students to register online individually.
The university has acquired from South Africa two computer soft wares; Finis and Aris that enables an increase in the Internet ban width, the range covered by an internet service.
The new invention is expected to enable students’ access registration forms on the Internet and register from any part of the world without meeting with university officials.
The university spokesperson Gilbert Kadilo, said with the new method students can be able to log on, and view their detailed information at the university only upon clearance of all the necessary university dues.
“A student can access the registration page and other details only up to the last time he/she cleared payments. If payments for a new semester have not been made for example, a student can access information for the previous semesters only, until he/she has cleared dues in the new semester” Kadilo explained.
Kadilo said that students will have to pay functional fees like technology fee in order to sustain this new development, adding that the soft wares and the installation process was very expensive.
On the current absence of Internet services at the University, Kadilo blamed it on the recent students’ petition to parliament saying it forced the university to borrow money from outside sources to pay outstanding debts.
“The university is experiencing this problem because the service providers were not paid. The university had to spend a lot of money on paying other outstanding bills”
Training of students on how to register online started last weak at the Faculty of law before Internet providers withdrew their services. Kadilo said the university has again borrowed money to pay for Internet.
By Robert Owiny 6th October 2008
The problem of long queuing during students’ registration time at Makerere university will soon be history after the introduction of a new method which enables students to register online individually.
The university has acquired from South Africa two computer soft wares; Finis and Aris that enables an increase in the Internet ban width, the range covered by an internet service.
The new invention is expected to enable students’ access registration forms on the Internet and register from any part of the world without meeting with university officials.
The university spokesperson Gilbert Kadilo, said with the new method students can be able to log on, and view their detailed information at the university only upon clearance of all the necessary university dues.
“A student can access the registration page and other details only up to the last time he/she cleared payments. If payments for a new semester have not been made for example, a student can access information for the previous semesters only, until he/she has cleared dues in the new semester” Kadilo explained.
Kadilo said that students will have to pay functional fees like technology fee in order to sustain this new development, adding that the soft wares and the installation process was very expensive.
On the current absence of Internet services at the University, Kadilo blamed it on the recent students’ petition to parliament saying it forced the university to borrow money from outside sources to pay outstanding debts.
“The university is experiencing this problem because the service providers were not paid. The university had to spend a lot of money on paying other outstanding bills”
Training of students on how to register online started last weak at the Faculty of law before Internet providers withdrew their services. Kadilo said the university has again borrowed money to pay for Internet.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
MOTHER WANTED TO KILL ABNORMAL CHILD
The New Vision 30th July
A MOTHER who gave birth to a baby with deformed legs and arms, wanted to kill it but her ideas were blocked.
Catherine Awili, 35, a resident of Gulonger village in Abim district, delivered the baby boy on Saturday.
But the Morulem sub-county LC3 chairman, Sam Okello, intervened in time and told her she would be charged with murder.
"I wanted to kill it because I never expected it. I don't really deserve it. People will fear me. I have never seen such a thing in my life," Awili said on Monday.
She had brought the baby to Morulem Health Centre for immunisation. Awili added that she did not deliver normally.
"I was not ready because I did not feel labour pains. I woke up on Friday as usual," she explained, adding that the baby came out when she was in a pit-latrine, easing herself.
Abim LC5 chairman Norman Ochero encouraged the mother to take care of the baby, promising help.
"Take care of the boy. Nothing can stop it from surviving, because God will help both of you."
The officer in charge of the health centre, Agnes Monu, attributed the baby's condition to drug abuse by mothers in early pregnancy.
"These mothers sometimes buy drugs from shops and use them without prescription."
Monu added that the child's eyes and ears were healthy and that its chances of survival were high.
A MOTHER who gave birth to a baby with deformed legs and arms, wanted to kill it but her ideas were blocked.
Catherine Awili, 35, a resident of Gulonger village in Abim district, delivered the baby boy on Saturday.
But the Morulem sub-county LC3 chairman, Sam Okello, intervened in time and told her she would be charged with murder.
"I wanted to kill it because I never expected it. I don't really deserve it. People will fear me. I have never seen such a thing in my life," Awili said on Monday.
She had brought the baby to Morulem Health Centre for immunisation. Awili added that she did not deliver normally.
"I was not ready because I did not feel labour pains. I woke up on Friday as usual," she explained, adding that the baby came out when she was in a pit-latrine, easing herself.
Abim LC5 chairman Norman Ochero encouraged the mother to take care of the baby, promising help.
"Take care of the boy. Nothing can stop it from surviving, because God will help both of you."
The officer in charge of the health centre, Agnes Monu, attributed the baby's condition to drug abuse by mothers in early pregnancy.
"These mothers sometimes buy drugs from shops and use them without prescription."
Monu added that the child's eyes and ears were healthy and that its chances of survival were high.
Monday, July 21, 2008
DR. RUGUNDA MISSED THE POINT
I am one of those Ugandans who have confidence in Dr Rwakana Rugunda as a mature, intelligent, peaceful and rational gentleman. Indeed His role in trying to bring peace to the people of Northern Uganda through the Juba Peace talks which he staggered with for a long time makes the whole world see him as peace maker.
However his recent statement in parliament which tried to defend the brutal, irresponsible, unlawful and arrogant police action on the legislators was a big surprise to me. I think the minister did'nt either establish the facts properly, or he was misinformed about what happened incase he did'nt witness it.
Surely the police acted very unfairly to the legislaters concerned if only what was shown on TV was real. I thought in such political rallies the irrelevant noice makers are the ones to be dealt with like wild animals.
The police also don't consider the fact that some people attend rallies to disorganise the politicians concerned.Such disrupters are the hooligans to be manhandled by the police during political rallies!
If the police can fail to respect members of parliament, then it means ordinary citizens can never have a say on police unfairness to them. I know some times some people undermine policemen, but most times policemen also fail to be ethical while doing their work. should the police be commended even when they cross the line?
The case of the MPs was really a serious one that required cautioning or even apology from the police. Kale Kayihura had ealier promised to apologise, which means he really saw where his force had gone wrong.
I call upon minister Rugunda to consider revising his statements before the legislaters last week. Even an apology won't kill his reputation.
ROBERT E. OWINY (MAKERERE UNIVERSITY)
However his recent statement in parliament which tried to defend the brutal, irresponsible, unlawful and arrogant police action on the legislators was a big surprise to me. I think the minister did'nt either establish the facts properly, or he was misinformed about what happened incase he did'nt witness it.
Surely the police acted very unfairly to the legislaters concerned if only what was shown on TV was real. I thought in such political rallies the irrelevant noice makers are the ones to be dealt with like wild animals.
The police also don't consider the fact that some people attend rallies to disorganise the politicians concerned.Such disrupters are the hooligans to be manhandled by the police during political rallies!
If the police can fail to respect members of parliament, then it means ordinary citizens can never have a say on police unfairness to them. I know some times some people undermine policemen, but most times policemen also fail to be ethical while doing their work. should the police be commended even when they cross the line?
The case of the MPs was really a serious one that required cautioning or even apology from the police. Kale Kayihura had ealier promised to apologise, which means he really saw where his force had gone wrong.
I call upon minister Rugunda to consider revising his statements before the legislaters last week. Even an apology won't kill his reputation.
ROBERT E. OWINY (MAKERERE UNIVERSITY)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
IS KONY INTERESTED IN PEACE TALKS?
ROBERT ROBERT The New Vision
The present confusion with the LRA leadership in Garamba makes the Juba peace talks completely meaningless.
If it is true that Joseph Kony has murdered his second-in-command Vincent Otti and other other commanders, then the government of Uganda and all those seeking peace through the Juba talks should ask themselves whether they are dealing with a sane person.
Kony does not seem to be interested in the peace talks. It appears he was just using the talks to buy time to reorganise the LRA, since the government forces had cornered him, his supporters in Sudan had withdrawn their assistance and he was experiencing financial hardship.
It might be true that people like Otti were genuinely interested in the peace talks when their boss was not.
Why does Kony fear to meet high profile people like Jan Eagland, the UN under- secretary general for humanitarian affairs, and Joachim Chisano? Worse still, why doesn't he want to meet president Yoweri Museveni at a round table since he claims he is the one he has a problem with?
Kony is up to no good. This is the right time for the government and all other concerned world bodies to flush Kony out of his hideout through any available means.
Eagland once described the Kony war in the north as the worst neglected humanitarian emergency in the world.
Who has neglected it? A lot of government money has been spent in the war, yet such money could have been used for other productive economic activities.
The atrocities that Kony has caused cannot be forgiven. The only thing the LRA seems to fear is the International Criminal Court.
Kony is frustrating the peace talks and the Government should not waste much more time and should talk to him in the only language he understands.
ROBERT ROBERT The New Vision
The present confusion with the LRA leadership in Garamba makes the Juba peace talks completely meaningless.
If it is true that Joseph Kony has murdered his second-in-command Vincent Otti and other other commanders, then the government of Uganda and all those seeking peace through the Juba talks should ask themselves whether they are dealing with a sane person.
Kony does not seem to be interested in the peace talks. It appears he was just using the talks to buy time to reorganise the LRA, since the government forces had cornered him, his supporters in Sudan had withdrawn their assistance and he was experiencing financial hardship.
It might be true that people like Otti were genuinely interested in the peace talks when their boss was not.
Why does Kony fear to meet high profile people like Jan Eagland, the UN under- secretary general for humanitarian affairs, and Joachim Chisano? Worse still, why doesn't he want to meet president Yoweri Museveni at a round table since he claims he is the one he has a problem with?
Kony is up to no good. This is the right time for the government and all other concerned world bodies to flush Kony out of his hideout through any available means.
Eagland once described the Kony war in the north as the worst neglected humanitarian emergency in the world.
Who has neglected it? A lot of government money has been spent in the war, yet such money could have been used for other productive economic activities.
The atrocities that Kony has caused cannot be forgiven. The only thing the LRA seems to fear is the International Criminal Court.
Kony is frustrating the peace talks and the Government should not waste much more time and should talk to him in the only language he understands.
TOP SOLDIER EXPLAINS ORDEAL WITH GUNMEN
ByRobert Owiny The New Vision 5th June 2008
& Caroline Batenga
"I have been in military battles and escaped death several times. It would have been very unfortunate if mere thugs had killed me."
This was the proclamation Lt. Col. Adolf Sserwadda, 54, made as he narrated his recent ordeal with armed robbers.
Sserwadda, the director of administration at the UPDF headquarters in Bombo, was on the night of May 26 attacked by armed thugs at Lungujja, Makamba zone in Rubaga, a Kampala suburb.
"The incident occurred at around 9:00pm and lasted for about 10 minutes. I was driving from Bombo to my home in Busega, but had to slow down at a muddy and slippery spot.
"Two men suddenly ordered me to stop. One of them, wielding an AK47 rifle, put me at gun-point and rudely ordered me to get out of the vehicle. After escaping the first shot, I quickly held the gun's barrel and tilted it downwards."
Sserwadda narrates that the second shot penetrated through the car's body, down to his left knee as he fell flat on the seats feigning death. Other two shots passed through the opposite door.
"The one with the gun kept watching me, while the other advanced to the left door, attempting to pull me out of the car," the soldier says.
"On realising this move, I charged and head-butted the man. As he staggered," Sserwadda narrates: "I abandoned the car and ducked into a trench."
He adds: "Fearing that I could shoot them, the thugs started keeping a distance. I then changed my position to the other side of the road and hid.
"The one with the gun tried to advance towards me, but before he could figure out my location, the other, who was fidgeting to start the car, called him back. They sped off."
Sserwadda recounts that he slowly got up and found his way to a group of people, who had gathered at a nearby trading centre.
He was rushed to Rubaga Hospital and admitted to the surgical ward where bullet fragments were removed from his knee and he was discharged the next day. The army officer believes the attack was not pre-planned.
"I don't think it was planned because Makamba is not my route. I reside in Busega and no one knew that I would pass there that night."
Sserwadda, who has served the army for 29 years, has received military training in Uganda, Tanzania, Cuba, China and the US.
Walking with a painful limp, Sserwadda, resumed work on Monday this week.
Army spokesperson Maj. Paddy Ankunda described the incident as "a-one-off" attack on a UPDF officer.
ByRobert Owiny The New Vision 5th June 2008
& Caroline Batenga
"I have been in military battles and escaped death several times. It would have been very unfortunate if mere thugs had killed me."
This was the proclamation Lt. Col. Adolf Sserwadda, 54, made as he narrated his recent ordeal with armed robbers.
Sserwadda, the director of administration at the UPDF headquarters in Bombo, was on the night of May 26 attacked by armed thugs at Lungujja, Makamba zone in Rubaga, a Kampala suburb.
"The incident occurred at around 9:00pm and lasted for about 10 minutes. I was driving from Bombo to my home in Busega, but had to slow down at a muddy and slippery spot.
"Two men suddenly ordered me to stop. One of them, wielding an AK47 rifle, put me at gun-point and rudely ordered me to get out of the vehicle. After escaping the first shot, I quickly held the gun's barrel and tilted it downwards."
Sserwadda narrates that the second shot penetrated through the car's body, down to his left knee as he fell flat on the seats feigning death. Other two shots passed through the opposite door.
"The one with the gun kept watching me, while the other advanced to the left door, attempting to pull me out of the car," the soldier says.
"On realising this move, I charged and head-butted the man. As he staggered," Sserwadda narrates: "I abandoned the car and ducked into a trench."
He adds: "Fearing that I could shoot them, the thugs started keeping a distance. I then changed my position to the other side of the road and hid.
"The one with the gun tried to advance towards me, but before he could figure out my location, the other, who was fidgeting to start the car, called him back. They sped off."
Sserwadda recounts that he slowly got up and found his way to a group of people, who had gathered at a nearby trading centre.
He was rushed to Rubaga Hospital and admitted to the surgical ward where bullet fragments were removed from his knee and he was discharged the next day. The army officer believes the attack was not pre-planned.
"I don't think it was planned because Makamba is not my route. I reside in Busega and no one knew that I would pass there that night."
Sserwadda, who has served the army for 29 years, has received military training in Uganda, Tanzania, Cuba, China and the US.
Walking with a painful limp, Sserwadda, resumed work on Monday this week.
Army spokesperson Maj. Paddy Ankunda described the incident as "a-one-off" attack on a UPDF officer.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS CAN SUBSTITUTE FIREWOOD
BY ROBERT OWINY
The New Vision recently reported that the desert is spreading across Uganda , capturing even the districts which were not in the "cattle corridor", a climatically non-vibrant region.
According to the report, this implies that the number of districts that will need food assistance is increasing, hence minimizing the hope of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a global initiative aimed at promoting human development and environmental sustainability in a few years to come.
One may not believe that 40% of Ugandans today live in a semi-arid desert which has slowly continued to eat away the land.
The bad news for Ugandans is that 51% of the country’s land today is semi-arid compared to the 40% in 1996. This great desert movement is reportedly compelled by poor land management practices such as overgrazing, logging for charcoal and constant forest destruction.
A survey has also shown that academic institutions in the country are greatly contributing to forest destruction as they heavily rely on wood for cooking for the large number of students.
A source at Makerere University which is also the largest academic institution in the country indicated that two Lorries of firewood are used by each hall of residence within one week.
In every month therefore the University burns over 90 Lorries of firewood in its 12 halls of residence. However the university also uses gas to substitute firewood sometimes. “If we were to rely fully on firewood we would demand about four lorries per week” a warden at one of the halls said.
At Highland secondary school, the headmistress Ms Nabbosa Hamidah says parents supply the school with up to about a full lorry of firewood which they cut from the surrounding forests on a weekly basis.
“It is true schools demand a lot of firewood, the forests have to suffer because there is no alternative” she says.
Given the current government policy which enables a large number of students to access free education at different levels, these institutions will apparently keep increasing their demand for firewood.
This means an end to forest destruction may not be easily achieved. To make matters worse, fertility rate in the country is also climbing the ladder. Parents now take the advantage of the free education offered to children and produce as many as they want.
According to Marc Nerclove, a researcher writing in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, she writes that in much of the third world, fertility is likely to react positively to increasing environmental degradation because parents perceive the benefits of having more children to be higher under environmentally adverse circumstances.
The question then is, can alternatives be sought for these institutions? Experts say yes but with government support.
Dr. Grace Nakabonge from the department of forestry at Makerere University says the government should reduce the heavy taxes on alternative fuel sources like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to be easily accessed by these institutions if they are to abandon the use of firewood. A kilo of LPG costs sh3595.
A single hall of residence at Makerere University consumes 500kg of the gas in a fortnight. This is very costly compared to a full lorry of firewood which goes for sh250000. As such, academic institutions rely so much on wood fuel.
The idea of finding alternatives to wood is not new. In Kenya , the government banned the collection of firewood from World Heritage sites recently. The over 20,000 educational institutions of Kenya were forced to find alternatives.
A project to replace open-fire cooking systems in schools with heavy duty brick insulated stainless steel stoves consuming 60-70% less firewood was a success. Other institutions adopted the use of LPG. Such changes could easily change the Ugandan condition, experts believe.
BY ROBERT OWINY
The New Vision recently reported that the desert is spreading across Uganda , capturing even the districts which were not in the "cattle corridor", a climatically non-vibrant region.
According to the report, this implies that the number of districts that will need food assistance is increasing, hence minimizing the hope of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a global initiative aimed at promoting human development and environmental sustainability in a few years to come.
One may not believe that 40% of Ugandans today live in a semi-arid desert which has slowly continued to eat away the land.
The bad news for Ugandans is that 51% of the country’s land today is semi-arid compared to the 40% in 1996. This great desert movement is reportedly compelled by poor land management practices such as overgrazing, logging for charcoal and constant forest destruction.
A survey has also shown that academic institutions in the country are greatly contributing to forest destruction as they heavily rely on wood for cooking for the large number of students.
A source at Makerere University which is also the largest academic institution in the country indicated that two Lorries of firewood are used by each hall of residence within one week.
In every month therefore the University burns over 90 Lorries of firewood in its 12 halls of residence. However the university also uses gas to substitute firewood sometimes. “If we were to rely fully on firewood we would demand about four lorries per week” a warden at one of the halls said.
At Highland secondary school, the headmistress Ms Nabbosa Hamidah says parents supply the school with up to about a full lorry of firewood which they cut from the surrounding forests on a weekly basis.
“It is true schools demand a lot of firewood, the forests have to suffer because there is no alternative” she says.
Given the current government policy which enables a large number of students to access free education at different levels, these institutions will apparently keep increasing their demand for firewood.
This means an end to forest destruction may not be easily achieved. To make matters worse, fertility rate in the country is also climbing the ladder. Parents now take the advantage of the free education offered to children and produce as many as they want.
According to Marc Nerclove, a researcher writing in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, she writes that in much of the third world, fertility is likely to react positively to increasing environmental degradation because parents perceive the benefits of having more children to be higher under environmentally adverse circumstances.
The question then is, can alternatives be sought for these institutions? Experts say yes but with government support.
Dr. Grace Nakabonge from the department of forestry at Makerere University says the government should reduce the heavy taxes on alternative fuel sources like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to be easily accessed by these institutions if they are to abandon the use of firewood. A kilo of LPG costs sh3595.
A single hall of residence at Makerere University consumes 500kg of the gas in a fortnight. This is very costly compared to a full lorry of firewood which goes for sh250000. As such, academic institutions rely so much on wood fuel.
The idea of finding alternatives to wood is not new. In Kenya , the government banned the collection of firewood from World Heritage sites recently. The over 20,000 educational institutions of Kenya were forced to find alternatives.
A project to replace open-fire cooking systems in schools with heavy duty brick insulated stainless steel stoves consuming 60-70% less firewood was a success. Other institutions adopted the use of LPG. Such changes could easily change the Ugandan condition, experts believe.
MAKERERE HIKES FEES FOR GOVT STUDENTS
By Robert Owiny The New Vision Monday, 7th July, 2008
THE burden of high fees payment at Makerere University has extended to the Government-sponsored students.
The university has increased the amount of ‘functional’ fees which scholarship recipients should pay apart from what government contributes.
In a letter of admission for first-year students for the 2008/2009 academic year, the academic registrar states:
“Your university fees is paid by the Ugandan government, however, you are expected to pay the following functional fees before registration; development fee sh123,500, technology fee sh50,000 and identity card fee sh15,000.”
The New Vision also learnt that the university hospital registration fee was increased from sh6,000 to 10,000.
In total, individuals benefiting from the scheme this year will part with sh198,500 before they can register.
Previously, the beneficiaries of the scholarship would pay sh15,000 for an identity card, sh16,000 for an undergraduate gown and sh1,000 for a rules booklet, all costing sh32,000. Development or technology fees were not charged in the past.
The university vice-chancellor, Livingstone Luboobi, confirmed the increment.
“We requested the University Council to allow us put an extra fee for the government students, and it was endorsed.”
Recently, President Yoweri Museveni warned against extra costs for government-sponsored students when medical students complained that the university administration asks them to pay for field trips.
“The window of government sponsorship should be fully sponsored. If there is a cost that is part of the course, it should be met. The spirit of Government sponsorship should not die,” the president said while addressing the students at medical school.
The Public Universities Joint Admissions Board admitted 4,000 students for government sponsorship this year.
Admission letters for those admitted under the national merit scheme are out. The list of those admitted under the district quota system, are still being screened by local council authorities in their districts of origin.
By Robert Owiny The New Vision Monday, 7th July, 2008
THE burden of high fees payment at Makerere University has extended to the Government-sponsored students.The university has increased the amount of ‘functional’ fees which scholarship recipients should pay apart from what government contributes.
In a letter of admission for first-year students for the 2008/2009 academic year, the academic registrar states:
“Your university fees is paid by the Ugandan government, however, you are expected to pay the following functional fees before registration; development fee sh123,500, technology fee sh50,000 and identity card fee sh15,000.”
The New Vision also learnt that the university hospital registration fee was increased from sh6,000 to 10,000.
In total, individuals benefiting from the scheme this year will part with sh198,500 before they can register.
Previously, the beneficiaries of the scholarship would pay sh15,000 for an identity card, sh16,000 for an undergraduate gown and sh1,000 for a rules booklet, all costing sh32,000. Development or technology fees were not charged in the past.
The university vice-chancellor, Livingstone Luboobi, confirmed the increment.
“We requested the University Council to allow us put an extra fee for the government students, and it was endorsed.”
Recently, President Yoweri Museveni warned against extra costs for government-sponsored students when medical students complained that the university administration asks them to pay for field trips.
“The window of government sponsorship should be fully sponsored. If there is a cost that is part of the course, it should be met. The spirit of Government sponsorship should not die,” the president said while addressing the students at medical school.
The Public Universities Joint Admissions Board admitted 4,000 students for government sponsorship this year.
Admission letters for those admitted under the national merit scheme are out. The list of those admitted under the district quota system, are still being screened by local council authorities in their districts of origin.
Plan early for retirement
New Vision, Monday, 23rd October, 2006
However, merely getting a job is not enough to achieve this goal. It is therefore incumbent upon an individual to plan strategically in retirement and avoid the curse of working for money instead of money work for him!
I wish to give Ugandan civil servants some advice. Most of them, especially teachers, toil a lot for money. Everyone fights for a job to improve one’s financial position and live a better life.
However, merely getting a job is not enough to achieve this goal. It is therefore incumbent upon an individual to plan strategically in retirement and avoid the curse of working for money instead of money work for him! The madness of going to streets to demonstrate about financial unfairness will not help this country. Uganda is a developing country with a lot of economic potholes. We should learn to keep something aside for a rainy day.
We should learn to purchase only assets that we can afford and avoid purchasing liabilities that we cannot afford to maintain.
For instance, I would not expect a primary school teacher with his meagre salary to buy a nokia 6220 phone instead of an ox, marry a second wife instead of building a house for the first and only wife. It is rational that one begins planning for retirement the very day one gets employed.
Doing this will enable even the young to get jobs. As one begins to earn, one should strive to create more on his asset column and less or nothing on the liability column so that when time for retirement comes, he already has a ‘tree’ to give him enough fruits and shade.
Robert Kyosaki’s novel Rich Dad Poor Dad puts this advice more clearly. Please read it.
Robert Emmanuel Owiny Makerere University
OJWOK'S DEATH A BLOW TO ABIM DISTRICT
TRIBUTE By Robert E. Owiny
Monitor Daily Opinions November 15, 2007
The untimely death of Hon. Omwony Ojwok MP for Labwor county and state minister for planning is a big blow to the people of Abim district.
Being one of the very few well educated brains from that land, Ojwok had to involve himself in almost every thing in Labwor. He was the brain behind the creation of the new district as well as negotiating for peace with the Karamojong.
“He was at the forefront of battles to establish democratic and transparent practice in community activism, and in teaching the community that they had a right and duty to engage in national politics,” Kalungi Serumaga, wrote in his tribute to Ojwok.
He was brilliant, selfless and simple. I remember one time at a radio talk show a commentator describing him as someone you would fail to recognise as a minister considering his simple way of dressing.
It is very hard to find a man as selfless as Ojwok who even lost the location of his biological mother’s whereabouts for more than 10 years, while working with other Africans in the Diaspora to bring genuine nationalism and democracy in Uganda.
A very complex chapter has opened for the people of Abim district. Ojwok was the most reliable thread that connected the Ethur to president Museveni. Being strong supporters of the NRM government, I can agree with Serumaga that the people of Labwor were very instrumental in Ojwoki’s home-coming as they wanted his trusted leadership to make their support for the government recognised.
Unfortunately, Ojwok has passed away at a time when many issues in Abim were yet to be resolved. For instance, there is confusion over the location of the district headquarter.
While most residents prefer the headquarters to be built in Abuk, a spacious area located between Lira, Pader, and Katakwi districts, Ojwok wanted it to be built in Abim town where he is born, inspiteof the fact that Abim has no space for development.
Already, the people of Abim have dragged the district LCV chairman, Mr Norman Ochero to court for allegedly causing confusion over the headquarters location issue.
Ojwok’s death therefore comes at a very tricky time for the people of Abim district. To make matters worse, his political influence had thrown other politicians in the land almost out of the game. People like Yafes Otim Omara, Obonyo Joabwor and Owilli Nathuth e.t.c no longer have political clout necessary bring the necessary development in the area.
As we mourn, let us also us pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace and God to guide his family during this trying time.
The writer is a journalism student at Makerere University and comes from Abim district
robowiny@yahoo.com
Monitor Daily Opinions November 15, 2007
The untimely death of Hon. Omwony Ojwok MP for Labwor county and state minister for planning is a big blow to the people of Abim district.
Being one of the very few well educated brains from that land, Ojwok had to involve himself in almost every thing in Labwor. He was the brain behind the creation of the new district as well as negotiating for peace with the Karamojong.
“He was at the forefront of battles to establish democratic and transparent practice in community activism, and in teaching the community that they had a right and duty to engage in national politics,” Kalungi Serumaga, wrote in his tribute to Ojwok.
He was brilliant, selfless and simple. I remember one time at a radio talk show a commentator describing him as someone you would fail to recognise as a minister considering his simple way of dressing.
It is very hard to find a man as selfless as Ojwok who even lost the location of his biological mother’s whereabouts for more than 10 years, while working with other Africans in the Diaspora to bring genuine nationalism and democracy in Uganda.
A very complex chapter has opened for the people of Abim district. Ojwok was the most reliable thread that connected the Ethur to president Museveni. Being strong supporters of the NRM government, I can agree with Serumaga that the people of Labwor were very instrumental in Ojwoki’s home-coming as they wanted his trusted leadership to make their support for the government recognised.
Unfortunately, Ojwok has passed away at a time when many issues in Abim were yet to be resolved. For instance, there is confusion over the location of the district headquarter.
While most residents prefer the headquarters to be built in Abuk, a spacious area located between Lira, Pader, and Katakwi districts, Ojwok wanted it to be built in Abim town where he is born, inspiteof the fact that Abim has no space for development.
Already, the people of Abim have dragged the district LCV chairman, Mr Norman Ochero to court for allegedly causing confusion over the headquarters location issue.
Ojwok’s death therefore comes at a very tricky time for the people of Abim district. To make matters worse, his political influence had thrown other politicians in the land almost out of the game. People like Yafes Otim Omara, Obonyo Joabwor and Owilli Nathuth e.t.c no longer have political clout necessary bring the necessary development in the area.
As we mourn, let us also us pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace and God to guide his family during this trying time.
The writer is a journalism student at Makerere University and comes from Abim district
robowiny@yahoo.com
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