MPs pin Prof Ddumba over fake degrees

By Paul Kiwuuwa

MAKERERE University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu denied claims that the institution awarded fake degrees, but shocked the MPs when admitted that some students' marks at various faculties had been altered.

Ddumba was appearing before the parliament committee on education and sports together with University secretary David Muhwezi to clarify on allegations of alterations of marks hence issuing fake degrees.

Recent reports claim a total of 600 students graduated without fulfilling academic requirements and that the institution would subsequently recall degrees of such persons.

In his defense, Ddumba said; "In November 2014, there were allegations of an attempt to alter marks for the purposes of including students who did not meet the requirements to graduate in the January 2015 graduation ceremony."

"When the university management learnt of the allegations (alteration of marks), several meetings were held with Principals and Registrars of the Colleges in the months of November and December 2014 to verify allegations that student marks had been altered," Ddumba explained.

"Subsequently, the students who were suspected to have the allegedly altered marks did not graduate in the January 2015 Graduation Ceremony of Makerere University." Dumba added.

Last December, he added, the deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of academic affairs established a committee to investigate the matter. 

"The committee will submit its report to the university management at the end of April 2015," he said.

Committee Vice chairperson Sarah Lanyero fired at Ddumba; "I am disappointed with your contradictory statement, you have admitted that results of different facilities were altered, but when marks are altered this means even the degree to be issued are fake’” she argued. 

"The investigation into the alteration of marks may not yield the expected results because you the boss of the institution is already biased by telling us that you did not award fake degrees."

In his defense, Ddumba said “I admit that the marks had been altered before issuance of the degrees, different heads of colleges, have to ensure the right marks are given to the right academic transcripts."

Katikamu South MP Professor Kiddhu Makubuya, said; "The committee has heard reports that some female students are promised better marks in exchange for sex."

The Pallisa county MP Jacob Opolot said, "I have evidence of someone who had a pass degree, when the results were pinned on the notice board, but I was surprised she was awarded with an academic transcript bearing upper second degree,"

In his defense Ddumba said "those are baseless rumors without evidence. I have never got any male lecturer harassing a student in return for good marks for sex."

The MPs will hold a joint meeting next month with the MUK management, the minister of education Jesicca Arupo to see how the university can get more funding for sustainability.