In a strong rebuke to Makerere University’s management, Parliament has directed the institution to recover Shs127,059,137 from a contract staff who had absconded from duty at the College of Computing and ICT Training.
This comes amid broader concerns over delayed reviews of university courses, with lawmakers calling for urgent reforms.
In a report presented to Parliament, it was revealed that Makerere University had been paying a contract staff who had absconded from duty at the College of Computing & ICT Training, resulting in a financial loss of Shs127,059,137.
Lawmakers are now demanding that the university recovers the amount within six months.”The delayed removal of staff from payroll results into payment for services not rendered to the University, thus causing financial loss to the government.
The accounting officer should recover the funds from the staff within six months of adoption of this report,” said Hon Muwanga Kivumbi, Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
This financial concern adds to the mounting pressure on Makerere University’s top management, with MPs expressing frustration over delays in reviewing and accrediting courses.
A recent audit of the university’s academic programs revealed that 198 courses were being taught without up-to-date accreditation or review, potentially affecting the quality of education.
The Auditor General’s report detailed that out of 347 active courses, only 149 had been fully accredited, leaving the remaining 198 awaiting review.
This situation is raising concerns about the preparedness of graduates entering the workforce with potentially outdated knowledge.
Lawmakers have called for urgent action, demanding that the university fast-track the review process to align with current educational and professional standards.
