Makerere University operates on half staff

Makerere University has asked the government to lift a ban on recruiting staff, to enable it to ease an acute staff shortage, reports New Vision. Addressing a university graduation ceremony last Tuesday, Chancellor Mondo Kagonyera revealed that Makerere was operating at less than 50% staff structure, “which is unacceptable".

Vice-Chancellor Ddumba Ssentamu revealed that the total number of academic staff at the institution had remained static at 1,400 for over six years despite skyrocketing student enrolment. He said the staff shortage had bogged down academic standards and affected the quality of graduates.

Kagonyera asked the ministries of finance and education to consider increasing funding for Makerere in the next financial year to enable the university recruit more staff. A total of 12,555 students will graduate during this year’s four-day graduation ceremony. Of these, 47.1% are female. The university is awarding 61 Phds this year.
Full report on the New Vision site