Written By |
Following revelations by the Auditor General, Edward Akol, that more than 400 master’s students failed to complete their studies within the stipulated two-year period
Search
By Our Reporter
PARLIAMENT - Makerere University has come under intense scrutiny following revelations by the Auditor General, Edward Akol, that more than 400 master’s students failed to complete their studies within the stipulated two-year period. The audit revealed that, on average, students took more than four academic years to complete their research, far exceeding the university’s accredited duration for master’s programs.
The findings, part of an extensive audit of postgraduate programs at Makerere University and its affiliate institutions, particularly highlighted Makerere University Business School (MUBS). Of the 3,044 students who registered for master’s programs between the 2013/14 and 2020/21 academic years, only 1,931 (63%) managed to graduate. A staggering 1,113 students (37%) are still yet to complete their programs.
MUBS bore the brunt of the critique, with 322 master’s students taking more than four years on average to finalize their research. This delay reflects poorly on the institution's supervision and administrative processes, raising concerns about the quality of postgraduate education.
The audit also revealed alarming statistics regarding PhD programs. Over the same ten-year period, 190 students registered for various doctoral programs, but only 60 (31.5%) successfully graduated. The remaining 130 students (68.5%) have yet to complete their studies, citing supervision delays, funding challenges, and personal constraints as major hurdles.
Voices of frustration
The situation has prompted an outcry from affected students, some of whom have taken to social media to share their grievances.
Christopher Kintu (@Chriskintu2021), a PhD student, expressed his frustration in a tweet, recounting how he missed his graduation twice due to administrative inefficiencies.
“If I put my experience here, and tag those responsible, some tables might turn. Let’s just say, I have missed my PhD graduation twice! Yes, twice, because of mere secretaries. This Jan was my second one, after doing everything, including boarding a flight from the UK to come attend! Only for my name to mysteriously disappear from the list, last minute. If I’m to shake this table, I would need four pages in a national tabloid. Now, imagine my colleagues at Masters and undergrad. Something is fundamentally wrong and things need to change.”
Call for reforms
The Auditor General's report has reignited debate about the efficiency and effectiveness of Makerere University's postgraduate programs. Stakeholders have called for urgent reforms, emphasizing the need for improved supervision, streamlined administrative processes, and better support for students facing financial and personal challenges. Makerere University is yet to release an official statement addressing the findings, but pressure is mounting for the institution to implement measures that ensure students complete their programs within the prescribed timelines.
This revelation is a wake-up call for one of Uganda’s most prestigious institutions, as delays in postgraduate programs threaten to tarnish its reputation for academic excellence.
Torch Media Africa
