George Turyamureeba Mugabi promises employment opportunities as he is overwhelmingly elected Makerere University Convocation boss

KAMPALA - Makerere University Academic Registrar, Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza has announced George Turyamureeba Mugabi as the overall winner of the hotly contested position of Chairperson of Makerere University Convocation.

The tightly contested election marred with multiple candidates withdrawing citing biasness of Dr. Tanga Odoi and marred with violent arrests had only Otim Lynd Tom and George Mugabi both Makerere University employees face off.

Throughout the day, the Annual General meeting failed to agree on anything starting with the agenda of the day. Many members led by the candidates highlighted numerous hitches that would not enable the election to go on smoothly.

Led by former Ntungamo Municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga, the group asked the current chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi and the returning officer Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza to postpone the exercise so as to rectify the anomalies they had identified. By virtue of being the Academic Registrar, Buyinza is the Secretary to Convocation and the returning officer.

But the pleas fell on deaf ears as both Odoi and Buyinza insisted that voting must take place and that those who were not interested should walk away. This prompted Karuhanga’s supporters to start shouting interrupting the exercise

Turyamureeba who started campaigning and soliciting for votes as early as March, had an organized team particularly from Makerere University Business School which rallied behind him.

Turyamureeba has worked at the academic institution for eighteen years and hopefully this gave him the edge.

His team had a diverse cabinet which saw Ruto Cherotich Grace take position of Vice Chairperson unopposed, Tanga Collins son of Dr. Tanga Odoi take Publicity Secretary after wining Mwanje Simon and Mauso Brian voted Treasurer.

Below is Chairperson George Turyamureeba’s 7-point manifesto

1. Convocation’s contribution to Makerere University’s transformation as a research led institution

The programme, according to George, is aimed at boosting research and innovations among the students and alumni- Makerere University has nurtured and graduated quality students through its 100 years of excellent services and these currently serve the country in various research positions in amd and out of the country. The Convocation team will provide linkages and build a network that will enable students to work closely with alumni through the organizations where they serve.

2. Employment Opportunities Bureau

The team George will take the center role of enhancing the employability skills and opportunities for Muk Alumni

3. Formation of Makerere University Convocation Chapter Globally

According team George will focus on ehancing the visibility of Makerere University brand .Muk Convocation will work with the Muk Alumni living in the diaspora to create a platform for marketing Makerere University Brand through Convocation get-together conferences and building networks to support students.

4. An Alumni Employment Nurturing Hub

According to team George , it will be an artistic impression of the Makerere University Convocation House. It will be the home of Muk alumni and provide a conducive environment within the University. It will be a hub with various resources that support access to information and services such as physical space, computer, internet, connectivity, printing services, career counseling and guidance .

5. Digitization of the Makerere University certification process

For many years, Makerere University Alumni have been required to physically move long distances to visit the institution to certify their documents. Under this agenda team George plans to ease the process of document certification by digitizing the certification process with the support of the Makerere University Senate. This will ease the process of getting the certified copies of Academics needed by the Alumni

6. Career Growth and Development

Makerere University is the leading institution of higher learning in Uganda and ought to have the best qualified academic and non-academic staff in order to achieve this, the Convocation and the top University management will identify and create potential funding streams to ensure continuity of professional and career growth among staff, Alumni and students. Through engagements with various partners, stakeholders in the country and other platforms such as international Universities and embassies, the Convocation will work with the Muk staff, students and Alumni to advocate for and identify and and create funding opportunities for career growth and research

7. Welfare of Makerere Alumni

According to George, the Convocation will prioritize the welfare and growth of its members through provision of economic empowerment by boosting financial literacy and generation of Almuni SACCO and cooperative. It will also prove legal and pro bono services to its Alumni, advocate for fair and just disciplinary measures yet endeavor to promote fair treatment and equity. For Muk Alumni who are staff members, the team will vie for better salary and remunerations of Academic and support staff, streamline the staff promotion process

The convocation is important as every student that graduates at Makerere University pays sh 10,000 as the convocation fee, but that is just membership. To graduate you pay membership but to join the convocation you pay subscription which distinguishes you from a member.

Through these memberships, the convocation collects millions of shillings through students and alumni who were compelled to subscribe in order to vote for their favorite candidates.

In addition to the fees, Makerere University Convocation has prime land in Katanga that is being contested.

Tanga Odoi’s administration will stay in office until April 2023 when he will officially hand over to the incoming Executive led by George Turyamureeba Mugabi as Chairperson