Makerere University is the epitome of University education in Uganda
Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports, has revealed plans to form a new Apex Body to oversee research grants in public Universities across the country, following concerns of delays to execute research projects.
The revelation was made by Muzamir Mukwantampola, the Commissioner in Charge of Scholarships and Students Affairs at Ministry of Education and Sports while appearing before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee where the Ministry had been summoned to respond to queries raised in the June 2021 Auditor General’s report.
“The Ministry concurs with the proposal, the provision for the Apex body with representatives from constituent institutions was included in the draft higher education policy and white paper. This body will be in charge of strategic planning for universities and other institutions of higher learning,” said Mukwatampola.
The concerns by lawmakers followed a value for money audit conducted on the management of research grants in 4 out of 9 public universities including Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Mbarara Science and Technology as well as Busitema University.
The audit findings raised concern with the inadequate administration structure of research grants, absence of clear research agenda to guide planning, implementation and policy matters and also the inadequate monitoring and evaluation of the research projects in the four Universities.
The Audit also noted significant delays in the completion of research projects. For example. 450 out of 512 government funded grants from Makerere, Kyambogo and Busitema were not completed in time. Similarly, 218 out of 350 donor funded grants from the 4 universities were not completed on time.
The findings prompted Sarah Opendi (DWR Tororo) to task the Ministry of Education to explain the delays in the execution of tehse research projects remarking, “You note that there are issues with regards of the completion of research projects. What is the reason why these grants couldn’t be utilized? Why was there delay in completing these projects because you seem to be silent on that.”
However, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports, Ketty Lamaro however said all issues concerning management of scholarships should be responded to by the accounting officers in their respective universities, a response that Medard Ssegona (Busiro East) rejected saying the Ministry of Education should provide oversight in form of guidelines in the management of the research grants.
“But even with the accounting officers, administratively you are supposed to be reviewing and guiding them at a policy level,” said Ssegona.
