In its first full week of work, the Dr Abel Rwendeire probe committee interviewed the Makerere University administration last week, in a bid to find the root cause of the problems there.
Committee chair Dr Rwendeire confirmed to The Observer that they had met with the former university chancellor, Prof Mondo Kagonyera, vice chancellor Prof John Ddumba-Ssentamu, his two deputies and the university secretary, Charles Barugahare, the guild president and the academic staff association chairperson, Dr Muhammad Kiggundu.
Following these closed-door meetings, Dr Rwendeire said, they had resolved to meet with officials at other public universities. Dr Rwendeire argued the problems at Makerere needed a wider and thorough investigation to enable making of a meaningful report.
“The key stakeholders in this probe are quite a number; so, if we are to review the previous recommendations made by earlier committees, then we have to visit some of these public universities, since some of the reports we are to review were compiled after these public universities had been visited,” Rwendeire added.
Asked which public universities they would investigate, Dr Rwendeire declined to mention their operational schedule, arguing that they hoped to work better that way.
Rwendeire also said the committee had not faced any challenges yet and their work is running smoothly.
“We have achieved a lot so far. Our committee has gone through various reports, and a good number of members have appreciated the issues that we are on. We have begun consultations with the key stakeholders. We began with top management …. So the key people in the university have been talked to,” Rwendeire explained.
Dr Rwendeire appreciated the support they have so far received from the president in terms of finances, but declined to tell how much money the whole process will cost. He said the investigations are still ongoing and would last at least three months.
PROGRESS
In a separate interview, the vice chancellor, Prof John Ddumba-Ssentamu, confirmed that he had met the visitation committee on Tuesday. He was at pains to emphasise that he met the team alone.
“They met me, we interacted, and they really seem to be pro-solving issues at Makerere. As management, we shall give them all the necessary assistance and support that they need from us,” Ddumba-Ssentamu said.
However, he declined to say exactly what he told the committee, only speaking generally. “I gave them an overview of what the problems at the university are … and they appreciated my contribution.”
tusiime.chris20@gmail.com