MUK don raps money hungry lecturers

By Cecilia Okoth and Godiver Asege

A Makerere University professor is worried over the deteriorating quality of teaching in Ugandan universities which he attributes to academicians being money hungry.

Prof. John David Kabasa, the Principal in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB), expressed displeasure over today’s lecturers for fighting for salary increments unlike the old counterparts who focused on mentoring leaders.

“Today, it is rare to find dedication of this magnitude. The lecturers today are better paid but are deficient with a lot of complaints and the urge for quick results,” Kabasa said, adding that all they think of is getting a salary increment.

Kabasa made these remarks at St Francis Chapel in Makerere on Wednesday during the funeral service of the late Prof. Kenneth Okello Lapenga, a man he described as resilient and with total commitment.

“Prof. joined the university at the most difficult time of Uganda when most of the lecturers fled for greener pastures and when wars were raging in the country. He however supported us and made sure we completed our courses,” Kabasa said, adding, “I am a living example of his dedication and mentorship.”

He also noted, “We taught during hard conditions but these days lecturers do not want to teach students because they are not paid.”

Architecture Paul Kikule, who studied with the deceased in Nairobi University, said he was very instrumental as his profession was more of a calling and not a job.

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Family members of late Prof. Kenneth Okello Lapenga attending his funeral service at St Francis Chapel at Makerere University Kampala. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu                                    

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Prof. Lapenga was the oldest dean at the College of Veterinary medicine Makerere University.

“This is a quality many lecturers lack. There are not many of them who can really nurture and mentor the young ones anymore. It calls for discipline,” Kikule said.

He added, “This is a crisis in Uganda because many do not have the vision to mentor people professionally and morally and on top of that, be creative and do so much more to balance your income.”  

Prof. Lonzy Ojok, a Veterinary Pathologist at CoVAB and also an OB to the deceased described him as a man who practiced service above self. “He was interested and concerned about people’s achievements and the monetary issue was always a secondary aspect for him.”  

Prof. Lapenga died on Saturday at Mulago Hospital where he was battling with cancer of the liver. Although his family members said he was first diagnosed with hernia, further investigations indicated he had liver cancer.

He was the leading professor in animal production at the College and attained two awards from the University of Edinburg (Scotland) as the leading scientist in animal production in 1983 and another in goat production awarded by the international foundation for science in Sweden in 1985.

Before he passed away, the deceased focused more on mentorship programmes and was also the Chairman Uganda Cargo.

Lapenga begun lecturing at Makerere from 1975 to 1977 and came back in 1999 till the time of his death.

In his sermon, Rev. Canon Geoffrey Byarugaba, the St Francis Chaplain said Lapenga was a law abiding citizen who was very wealthy with knowledge.

“When you lose a professor, an entire library is gone. You cannot pass on the knowledge and the degrees he or she attained,” he said urging the mourners to mourn with hope and celebrate his life.

The service was attended by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, members of parliament and several university dons.

Lapenga is survived by a widow and four children. He will be laid to rest Thursday at Bungatira Agonga 5km away from Gulu Town at 1pm.