This is my Article published by the Independent on 21 August 2009 17:55
By Vincent Nuwagaba
I am dismayed by the sudden increment of tuition fees for Makerere University in a week that freshers are to report for studies. While in principle I agree that the increment of Makerere University tuition fees is long overdue, the timing is wrong and I suggest that the University Council rescinds its decision. If there is to be any increment it should come in 2010/2011 academic year and it should be done early enough so that by the time students are applying they know how much they are to pay.
I have been in Makerere University long enough as an undergraduate student and a Master's student. For all the years I have spent in the university, I have been a leader. What I have learnt from the university administration is that they don't take preemptive measures but only react to situations when a problem has already happened. I hope the University Council doesn't follow the same trend.
Why do I take this hard-line stand? Before one applies for a course, the question of affordability is at the back of their mind. Affordability is both in terms of tuition fees and the requisite academic weights for the course. Thus, it is axiomatic that one applies for the course they can afford to be admitted to and ultimately pay for.
The majority of our people are peasants. Yet they want to have their children study because they know education is the only sure means of fighting ignorance, poverty and disease - the three impediments of development. Thus, for anyone to make a meaningful contribution towards social transformation, they must attain education. Accordingly, peasants choose to sell whatever they own- land, animals, food reserves etc to ensure their children study. In this very case neither the parents nor students were prepared for such a phenomenal and unprecedented fees increment.
Although Makerere relies heavily on revenue from private students, it still remains a public university. Accordingly, government must subsidise students admitted thereto. Sadly the information I get from the university staff indicates that government nowadays remits a paltry 30% funding of what it should give to Makerere University. And this shows the problem is structural.
The sudden tuition fees increment puts the integrity of both the University Council and government into disrepute. For so long government opposed the increment of tuition fees for Makerere University arguing that our people are poor and thus they cannot afford exorbitant fees.
How come, government has allowed increment in a week freshers are to report and at a time when parents and students already knew how much they were to pay for which course? Forget about the fact that admission letters were not yet out.
This sudden increment will lead many to drop out of the courses they had applied for. At least I have four relatives who have already told me that they have to drop out. The consequences of dropping out are dire for our society for the dropouts may turn into undesirable elements in society. But also, one wonders whether Makerere University is indeed 'Building For The Future.
However, the problem is beyond Makerere University Council and Administration. The problem points to state institutional dysfunctions. Right from the topmost position, the presidency, all other institutions replicate what the topmost institution does. Ultimately, institutional failure begets failure.
What should students and parents do? Students and parents are citizens and not subjects in this country. I oppose the idea that they should be turned into punching bags and that they should accept uncritically whatever government institutions decide. I have not looked at the legality of the decision to increase tuition fees but it puts the University Council's and government's integrity way down. It is surely an indicator of moral turpitude as it denies the poor but intelligent the right to study which ultimately will widen the income and poverty gap.
The intelligent but poor will be condemned to providing cheap labour to the children of the rich. Therefore the whole talk of Prosperity For All becomes hogwash for there cannot be genuine prosperity devoid of education. Accordingly, from a moral position, this decision is a wrong one.
I call upon all stakeholders of the institution; the alumni, government, students, parents and well-wishers to spare not time to ensure this unholy decision is reversed. I contend it is not too late. Let's realise that the cardinal role of the university is not to make money but knowledge generation, synthesis, reproduction and dissemination. These are not exclusive preserves of the rich.
Hence, whether rich or poor, higher education should be accessible to all Ugandans. Let all of us be guided by the golden rule of morality which goes, 'do to others as you would have them do to you'in the Bible (Luke 6:31). I wish to end with Okot p'Bitek's words of wisdom: 'And those who have fallen into things, throw themselves into soft beds but the hip bones of the voters grow painful sleeping on the same earth they slept before Uhuru'. As we build for the future!
Vincent Nuwagaba is a rights activist working with the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI)
mpvessynuwagaba@gmail.com
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