Three candidates vying for Makerere University Vice Chancellor slot are this morning holding a public debate, before hundreds of students and academicians at Makerere University main hall.
The three candidates are the current deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof Edward Kirumira, the principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and former VC, and presidential candidate, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba.
Under the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, a vice chancellor at a public university such as Makerere shall run the day-to-day affairs of the institutions and be responsible for its administration, academic and financial matters.
Makerere University Council on March 9 constituted a five-member committee led by Irene Ovonji Odida, which expects to name a vice chancellor by July.
Prof Kirumira who was the first candidate to speak, said in his administration, focus must be put into addressing issues that affect students first, to benefit the university and public. Kirumira said he has been trained very well in the college of humanities and social sciences about respect of office.
He promised to work tirelessly to address the gender related problems. He says they have gender policies that look at entry into the campus but nothing is done for the women when they leave. He promised to follow up.
Meanwhile, second speaker, Prof. Nawangwe promised to do the impossible. He promised; New fees policy, refurbishment of main hall, street lighting in campus, and new building for CEDAT, among others.
Nawangwe says he is a good negotiator who convinced KCCA to give Makerere Universitry 7 billion shillings in compensation of their land, eaten by roads.
He also promises to establish Research office at all colleges, implement policies agreed on in the past, improve private sector forum, and revive gender main streaming at MUK, make administrative reforms, and enforce deadlines on examination marking.