Makerere University management to take massive action on marks-alteration offenders

The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has revealed that the University is taking stringent action to curb the alteration of marks.

This comes a day after the university’s administration announced its intentions to recall degrees from 2011 on grounds of results-buying, sex for marks and nepotism among others, proven by a mismatch unearthed between results submitted by colleges and schools, and final results released by the Office of the Academic Registrar.

Speaking in an interview with one of the news agencies, Nawangwe described the problem as massive saying much as it has been existent; it has increased in the last two years, despite efforts to curtail it.

According to him, the university has been recalling and cancelling degrees of those implicated in fake marks, as well as suspending those found guilty of altering results.

In response to the crisis, the university management has set up a committee chaired by Dr. Damalie Naggitta-Musoke, the former dean of the School of Law to inquire into irregularities and malpractices.

Furthermore, the Academic Registrar Alfred Namoah Masikye has given the University Security Officer, Jackson Mucunguzi and acting legal director, Fred Muhumuza 30 days to give a report on action taken on each of the 88 people involved.

“We have taken decisive steps to stamp out any attempts,” said Nawangwe who took office on September 1^st, adding: “We are not here to continue massaging the problem of change of marks. It must stop and we will take every necessary step to ensure that that vice is stamped out of Makerere University.”

With such measures, quite a number of the university’s former students will be affected, including those in high public offices like ministers and Members of Parliament. The committee has so far submitted names of 88 lecturers, administrators and students involved in the scandal.

Nawangwe who will officially be installed as Makerere University vice chancellor tomorrow, added that they will ensure that the committees in charge of investigations are efficient, that they work within agreed upon time and that their recommendations are implemented promptly.

Alteration of marks has been taking place in the University Senate Building – occupied by staff members who handle academic matters. The vice has largely been abetted by staff who have access to the Result Management System. Nawangwe says his administration will decentralize the results management and transcript issuance to the college level.

ALSO SEE: Prof. Nawangwe takes over from Prof. John Ddumba as Makerere University Vice Chancellor