Finance Recovers MUBS Money From Makerere

Oct 26, 2003

THE Ministry of Finance has started recovering from Makerere University Kampala, money meant for the Government-sponsored students at the Makerere University Business School (MUBS).

By John Eremu
THE Ministry of Finance has started recovering from Makerere University Kampala, money meant for the Government-sponsored students at the Makerere University Business School (MUBS).
A senior ministry official told The New Vision yesterday that MUBS allocation had been going to Makerere for onward transmission, but apparently the university has been utilising the money for the past two years.
“We have started the recovery process effective this October. We didn’t have the exact number of Government-sponsored students at MUBS but we shall now start sending the money directly to the MUBS account,” said the official.
He did not readily have the exact amount to be recovered from Makerere this month.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Epelu Opio, said he needed to confirm the deductions. The university’s accounting officer, Sam Byanagwa, was not available for comment. His mobile telephone was off.
The University Council last week held met and reportedly resolved to meet officials from the Ministry of Education “to explain the university’s position on the issue” as well as the legal relationship with MUBS.
In an earlier meeting, the council reportedly argued that the university was grossly under-funded and cutting its budget further would gravely affect its operations.
Parliament this financial year approved sh26.2b as recurrent expenditure for Makerere, down from last year’s 28.8b.
However, Florence Kutesa, the budget director, said MUBS money has been going to Makerere because admissions were done there.
Subsequently, the education ministry last month wrote to the Ministry of Finance directing it to recover sh1.8b from Makerere and pass it on to MUBS to cater for 738 students sponsored there by the Government .
Part of the money is arrears for 281 students admitted last academic year.
MUBS last month delayed opening for 10 days following a row with the finance ministry over money for Government-sponsored students.
The school opened its gates after the Government promised to release the money within two weeks, which expired on October 14, 2003.
MUBS principal Wasswa Balunywa said the school was being run on money from private students in anticipation of the funds.
He, however fears a crisis when it comes to paying living out allowance to non-resident Government-sponsored students. Each student gets sh380,000 per semester.
to cater for accommodation and meals. The payments are due next week.
Ends

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