Makerere University Commended for taking University Education closer to communities
The Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) has commended and thanked Makerere University Council for opening and gazetting regional branches and centres across the country as a one-stop centre where all University academic courses can be conducted at the graduation ceremony.
The Makerere University Council was applauded and thanked by the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) for opening and gazetting regional branches and centers throughout the nation as one stop center where all University academic courses can be conducted at the graduation ceremony held on July 31st,2023.
The ULGA Vice Chairperson in the eastern region, who is also the Kapchorwa District LCV Chairperson, Mrs Everlyne Kubarika Chebet made these remarks during the graduation ceremony for course finalists at Makerere University’s Mbale branch where over 100 students who completed their studies between April and July 2023 were awarded certificates in administrative law officers’ course yesterday 31st July 2023.
Mrs Chebet thanked the various initiatives undertaken by the University to make local governments work better. She said, “By training our staff in areas of law you help to relieve us of many vices that would have been committed due to lack of legal knowledge.
“I now have full confidence that these graduates of today will work much better and become more technical than before,” she added.
Makerere University Mbale branch Coordinator, Mr Steven Masigapresented the graduands for the award of the administrative law certificates to the Guest of honour, majority of whom included employees in the local government employees such Mr Joseph Lobot (Amudat LC5 Chairperson), the district returning officer Napak, the District planner Amudat and the DHO Kapchorwa.
Others were, Kapchorwa Hospital Human Resource Officer, sub-county chiefs, parish chiefs, deputy headteachers, and NGO staff, among other occupations.
Mr Masiga said last year over 200 students were trained and also graduated formally since it is a university policy that all awards must be conducted in a more public manner. He added that another graduation is slated between November and December this year where over 150 students are expected to graduate.
Explaining the rationale of the courses, Masiga said the administrative law skills and qualifications acquired by learners are considered by local governments for entry, confirmation, and retention of one’s job either in local government or central government.
He further pointed out the extra benefits associated with the study of short courses where for example, a short course in law fetches an applicant 5 extra marks during interviews at either public service commission or district service commission.
According to him, this means that where there is a draw between applicants for the same job, the focus will shift to extra qualifications possessed by the applicant, and this can also fetch a candidate additional mark thereby knocking off his opponent for the job.
He also explained that short courses are very beneficial but also intensive, as they literally consume time and also on account of busy work schedules by learners.
“For example, to study law one must arm himself or herself with the penal code Act, the local government Act, the constitution and the police Act among other statutes,” Masiga said.
