House debates MUK transcripts

Apr 03, 2007

MPs are concerned over the delays in processing transcripts at Makerere University. They say people forge transcripts because they are frustrated when trying to honestly acquire them.

By Cyprian Musoke
and Henry Mukasa.


MPs are concerned over the delays in processing transcripts at Makerere University. They say people forge transcripts because they are frustrated when trying to honestly acquire them.

The MPs who were last Thursday debating the report into the allegations of forgery of transcripts at the institution, wondered why despite having a faculty of computer science specialising in Information and Communication Technology, Makerere has still failed to perfect its records system.

The legislators also related the problem to the soaring number of students at the university and commercialisation of education.

The MPs observed that Parliament had also been affected, with several of its members being disqualified over forged academic documents.

Parliament recently withdrew its directory from the public after establishing that many of the qualifications quoted by MPs were fake.

“The issue is not only in universities but also other institutions. Swift action should start with MPs who have been found guilty if we are to be seen as serious,” said Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West).

The university secretaries were not spared either. Mafabi labelled them as ‘arrogant with a colonial mentality’.

“They are too rude because they have overstayed and have no idea of public relations. They were used to typewriters and we are in a computer era. They should be retired.”

He suggested that the university creates a database for all its graduates and it should be accessible to the public, to curb forgeries.

Okello Okello (Chua) wondered why people who graduated before the age of computers were able to get transcripts on graduation day, yet those graduating in the computer age were taking ages to access their academic documents.

There have been reports of massive forgery of Makerere transcripts. A committee to investigate the matter was set up and it established that some officials in the transcript office were abetting the crime.

Meanwhile, Beatrice Lagada (Oyam Woman) said many parents feared to send their daughters to Makerere over claims that lecturers offer marks in return for sex.

The allegation was backed by Odonga Otto (Aruu) who alleged that several lecturers had married their students.

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