By Aggrey Baba
We are always told that education is the key to success but for many students at Makerere University, that key has been slipping from their grasp due to financial hardships.
Now, in a groundbreaking move that could change the lives of thousands, the university has launched a revolutionary work-for-tuition scheme, ensuring that no determined student is forced to abandon their dreams over school fees.
This initiative has already recruited 66 students, allowing them to work as hall attendants or sales representatives while earning a respectable salary of UGX 1.2 million. With flexible hours tailored around their academic schedules, these students can now focus on their studies without the crushing weight of financial worry.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, speaking at a press conference at the university’s Main Building recently, described the scheme as a turning point in the fight against student dropouts.
“Over 1,000 students drop out of Makerere every year due to financial challenges. This is unacceptable. We are starting with 66 students, but soon, we will expand this program to more than 200 students,” Nawangwe declared, signaling hope for thousands who have been on the verge of giving up.
The university has also lifted the suspension on guild election campaigns, which had been halted in 2022 after violent clashes led to the tragic death of a student. With new safety measures in place, students will now go to the polls on March 12, reclaiming their voice in leadership.
But Makerere isn’t stopping there. The university is undergoing a massive digital transformation, eliminating long queues and paperwork nightmares with cutting-edge information systems that streamline applications, payroll, and financial tracking.
A new e-student attendance system is also in the works to improve efficiency and ensure that every student gets the education they deserve.
Inclusivity is another area where the university is making significant strides. The recently established Disability Support Centre, backed by Mastercard Foundation funding, has received specialized computers designed to assist students with hearing impairments, proving that Makerere is committed to leaving no student behind.
As part of its grand vision, the university is also pushing to increase graduate admissions and enhance infrastructure. Plans are underway to secure government funding to complete a building at the School of Food Science, Nutrition, and Bioengineering, supporting innovative research in food incubation.
Meanwhile, the search for two new deputy vice-chancellors, one for academic affairs and another for finance & administration, is officially underway, with special committees working to find the right candidates within the next two months.
With bold reforms, innovative solutions, and an unwavering commitment to its students, MUK is proving that financial hardship should never be the reason a student gives up on their dreams.
If all goes as planned, this program could be the golden ticket that transforms not just Makerere, but Uganda’s entire higher education system. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
