MUK To Teach District Officials

By John Eremu MAKERERE University is to introduce tailor-made courses for district officials as part of the US$2m (sh3.5b) Rockefeller-funded capacity building under the decentralisation programme. The director of Makerere Institute of Social research, Dr. Nakanyike Musisi, told journalists yesterday that a recent study found that most district officials could not cope with the new roles under decentralisartion. Nakanyike, who is the secretary of the programme code-named "Innovation at Makerere Community (I@Mak.Com)," said the current courses offered at the faculty of social sciences and the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) appeared not to be adequately addressing the district manpower needs. "The courses at Makerere and UMI did not originate from the districts, but now, the tailor-made courses at Makerere are going to be from the perspectives of the districts," she said. "We are getting away from the mentality that Makerere is for producing only degree holders. Makerere is now moving beyond giving out only degrees," she added. The press conference was to brief journalists ahead of a workshop to disseminate the research findings at the International Conference Centre on Saturday. Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi is expected to close the one-day workshop. The press conference at the university's Council Room was also addressed by I@Mak.Com. alternate chairman, Prof. Nelson Sewankambo of the Medical School, the acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Mr. Keith Muhakanizi and the Commissioner for Higher Education, Yeko Acato. Sewankambo said the US$2m will cover this year but more funds will be availed depending on how the money is used. Ends