Makerere University Launches Student Work Scheme to Address Financial Barriers

The renovated Lumumba Hall

Makerere University has introduced a new student work scheme aimed at supporting learners facing financial challenges in paying tuition and other necessities. The initiative was designed to combat the troubling issue of approximately 1,000 students dropping out of the university each year due to financial difficulties, despite the availability of various scholarships.

At a media conference held in the Council Room, Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe revealed that 56 students have already been recruited for roles such as hall attendants and office assistants. Additionally, 10 students have been placed with private companies as sales representatives. The students involved in the scheme are compensated with Shs 1.2 million monthly and work part-time with flexible schedules that allow them to continue their studies while gaining valuable work experience.

Nawangwe also mentioned plans to expand the program to include 100 beneficiaries, with a broader range of roles across various university departments. The initiative aims to provide students with both financial support and practical skills.

In addition to the work scheme, the vice chancellor shared updates on several other university developments. He announced that the students' guild election would take place on March 12, 2025, and noted that two search committees had been established to identify candidates for the vacant positions of Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. The committees are expected to present their recommendations to the University Senate within 60 days.

Further enhancing the university's inclusivity, Makerere University recently opened a Disability Support Centre located at the Frank Kalimuzo Central Teaching Facility. The center aims to improve the academic experience for disabled students by providing a more accessible and supportive environment, reducing the need for them to move between buildings.

In terms of infrastructure, Nawangwe highlighted the completion of renovations at Lumumba Hall, which had been largely unused for 15 years, as well as the ongoing restoration of Mary Stuart Hall, with plans to renovate Complex Hall next. The university has also expanded with the construction of new buildings for the School of Law, the School of Dentistry, and the School of Graduate Training and Research, the latter funded largely by Tororo Cement Ltd. Additionally, the construction of a six-story, two-tower building for the School of Public Health, featuring an auditorium, is nearing completion. This project, originally initiated by the school's staff, has received support from several international partners, including the governments of Uganda and the Netherlands.

Lastly, Prof. Nawangwe assured the public of his commitment to maintaining regular communication with the media, particularly at the college level, to ensure that the university’s activities, research, and contributions are widely understood and appreciated.