An Extract from research made by Bernard Sabiti and how issues at makerere are always deeper than they seem.
The 2011 Guild Race: A story of extortion, academic mediocrity and poor prospects for National Leadership.
Makerere University is the oldest in Uganda, and one of the best in Africa. It was founded in 1922 as a college school by the British.
The guild council is what is known as the student government on western campuses. The guild president here symbolically wields lots of power even if he or she may not have so much of an impact on university policies.
The university has been a bedrock of political activism and, like in most places around the world, has been the hotspot of ideals for change in many spheres of the wider public life.
National Politics
National political parties have always fought, sometimes with tragic consequences to control student politics here, under the assumption that whoever wins the hearts of the country’s crème de la crème holds enviable legitimacy to the bragging rights of political formidability in Uganda.
However, The University officially discourages and doesn’t recognize political parties. “Political parties have caused divisions among students. The guild does not represent the interests of students but those of the political parties which they subscribe to,” says former Dean of students, John Ekudu.
The opposition has always, almost exclusively, won the guild presidency, riding the wave of anti-NRM sentiment that is of no short supply here. However, voter apathy is also too much for a university. Barely 15% of the student body turn up to the polls for several reasons.
Some are focused exclusively on their studies; some do not want to get caught up in the violence that has always characterized the elections while others are just not interested.
The quality of debate in terms of issues is wanting, and many a candidate is preoccupied with sloganeering, hooliganism and noise.
Whoever out-sloganeers the other carries the day. The rallies are chaotic, and few articulate real university policy issues.
Oneka a former guild president during campaigns ended on a more relevant note however, even if it was ironic. He castigated the roles of National Political parties in the university student politics (never mind that he was a beneficiary of the practice himself, for had he not had the FDC banner on his back, its doubtable he would have won the race).
“There is no NRM Makerere, There is no FDC Makerere, Or DP or UPC Makerere; There is Makerere University” he said.
Take Aways
The absurd “culture” practice should be banned for good. This is not only shameful but a terrible extortion practice that represents the worst of our sick society and its “Something-for-something” life. This is the first phase on national rooting and corruption. It’s no different from poor rural voters in Kiboga begging candidates for money. This practice is to also blame for most strikes in the university as it is used to legitimise the practice and marginalize those that wish not to partake in the strikes.
It should be a shame that the highest of echelon of learning in the country should still be marred with tribalistic tendencies. The university management should do something about this, by sensitization and advocacy. A social ill like this thriving at an institution of higher learning is a dangerous thing for the country.
Lastly bust actually most importantly, I will reiterate my ealier point that the university must seriously work on the quality of her students and resultantly, her graduates. It’s shameful that
We should not continue to churn out half-baked graduates who can barely write or speak English. Students shouldn’t have it easy to proceed to another year. Time at makerere should never be a sabbatical for lazy students. They must be worked hard so that they EARN rather than be awarded their degrees.
Tuition increment is also important to ensure that the above point is implemented effectively. The institution needs to remain relevant not only as a symbol of academic success but also be able to produce quality products that can advance this nation.
