Parliament has blamed the top leadership of Makerere University over the delay to review the university courses.
According to the Auditor General, the audit review of the database of university courses revealed that 198 expired courses were being taught to students.
“The university had 347 active taught courses; which 149 are fully accredited/reviewed, whereas 198 are pending review or accreditation at both graduate and postgraduate levels,” the report indicated.
According to the report, the university explained that the academic program review involves a comprehensive process, including departmental, stakeholder consultations, school and college reviews, Senate and Senate Committees, Quality Assurance Committee, and University Council.
“The failure to have timely review and accreditation of courses affects the university’s ranking, and the students that graduate from affected courses or programs may get challenges of admission in other international and local learning institutions,” noted Muwanga Kivumbi, Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee.
Kivumbi said the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute in Kabanyolo (MUARIK) faces the risk of losing 650 acres in Kabanyolo, valued at Shs325 billion if the land isn’t fenced off, after one individual took a portion of the land to construct a private school.
MPs also raised concern over the low staffing levels at the institute, with the report indicating that out of the approved structure of 235 staff at the MUARIK establishment, only 37 were filled, leaving 196 (83%) positions vacant.
Parliament has asked Makerere University to recover the Shs127,059,137 paid to a contract staff member who had absconded from duty at the College of Computing & ICT Training.
“The delayed removal of staff from payroll results in payment for services not rendered to the university, thus causing financial loss to the government. The accounting officer should recover the funds from the staff within six months of the adoption of this report,” said Muwanga Kivumbi, Chairperson PAC.
