18/11/2016
Founded in the second decade of British imperialism in Uganda MAK evolved from being a small Technical College to a reputable institution of Higher Learning in Uganda,Africa and the World.
Founded in the 1920s MAK was initially a Technical college to serve students from the British East African Territories of Kenya,Tanganyika and Uganda.Hence the initial technical college offered limited certificate courses in agriculture,carpentry,medical care,moto mechanics,teacher training and veterinary science.Following the Asquith report in 1949,the college obtained a semi autonomous status and in a special arrangement it became affiliated to London University.
Between 1950-1961 the college admitted its first students to London University where they gained Degrees.
Between 1962-1970 the college changed its status to become one of the three colleges of the University of East Africa.However owing to nationalist pressures in the region,at the close of this phase in 1970,the University of East Africa was dissolved into three full-fledged Universities is Makerere,Nairobi and Dar es Salem.
The 1970s were bad days for Makerere University as these were the days of Idi Amin.Generally during the 1970s and 1980s,Uganda underwent severe Political and economic crises hence the financial outlook of the education sector was a reflection of the country's fiscal position and performance.
Correspondingly the upswing in the country's economy brought about corresponding fluctuations of government funding to the education sector.
So Economic and Political crises of the two decades jeopardized MAKs ability to survive.
Underfunding accentuated and exposed old and new problems at MAK leading to a total of seven students and staff riots and protests and to the closing of the University in November 1989(Makerere University Visiting Committee Report 1990-1991).Internally the crises that brought MAK to the near brink of collapse were mainly and of education and between the University and the state.
Underfunding led to bare labalotories,empty library shelves,an and academic staff and a sharp detoriation in the quality of student life.
Resident halls were overcrowded despite converting the hall libraries and common rooms into additional sleeping rooms.
Underfunding also made extra curricular activities non existent with no games facilities and equippement.
Poor stocking of the university Bookshop was a result of underfunding this led to an inadequate book/student ratio.Govt grants to the University bookshop had decreased over the years.The little support which was received often came in too late with some books coming at the end of the academic year.
Another related factor is that the Main Library remained in a sorry state as several sections of the Library were unlit, there were leaks in the roof and no toilet facilities let alone a paucity of general reading and reference books and journals .
Quality of Education was also affected by the and overcrowded infrastructure. Because no additional teaching spaces were constructed, the rapid increase in student population completely oustripped the available for .
and the of the University provided additional space for lectures.(Has this problem been resolved as of 2016/2017 academic year?)
Under funding led to depletion of staffing and accelerated staff exit. were sometimes they came eg in December 1989 not one member of the entire University staff got their salaries and wages in time for Christmas(Ngobi's submission:Makerere University Visitation committee Report 1990-1991:6).
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The University Act of 1970 was always a stumbling block in MAKs development despite its amendments in 1973 and 1975
It was largely archaic in that it rendered too much control over the University administration to the Government.
The Act designated the University Council as the supreme governing body and employer.In section 22 it also created an independent Appointments board as a Authority.
This Act equally constrained the University's ability to raise or spend Money without the governments approval eg section 25 of the Act forbed the University to dispose of its Surplus funds on fixed accounts without the prior approval of the Ministry of Education .
Section 35 of the Makerere University Actof 1970 empowered the Minister to iinterfere with the University Administration ie he could direct the administration on anything
Section 22 of the Act gave the Minister powers to appoint professors,Deans and Director of Facilities
This Act therefore empowered bad govts to formulate bad policies to govern MAK.
of Democratic Rights (students and staff)
The 1970s and 1980s bore witness to vicious attacks on students and staff's form of protest and input ie Makerere Students Guild was abolished in 1978,MUASA was banned in 1975.During this period every effort was taken to silence and curtail students and academic staff.
It was not until 1986 when the advent of the government introduced conditions condusive to the enjoyment of Participatory democracy .
To be Continued
