By Francis Kagolo

THE row between Makerere University and its Nakawa-based business school (MUBS) over the restructuring of MUBS courses has escalated.

Addressing journalists at the university yesterday, vice-chancellor Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba insisted on setting up another committee to restructure all degree courses that MUBS offers.

Baryamureeba accused MUBS principal Prof. Wasswa Balunywa of reluctance to comply with the right process of restructuring the courses.

The standoff between the two institutions began in February when an ad hoc committee Baryamureeba set up recommended the scrapping of over 40 courses, half of which were for MUBS, which had been allegedly duplicated.

Citing the bachelors of commerce, accounting, and business administration, which all produce accountants, Baryamureeba vowed to end the duplication of courses at the business school.

Baryamureeba resolved that another committee, consisting mainly of business teaching experts and practitioners, be set up in collaboration with the MUBS management.

In a June 30 letter, Balunywa wondered why Makerere was concerned about the duplication of courses since Baryamureeba took office in November 2009. The institutions had agreed to work as a team late last year.

The institutions have been embroiled in a row, particularly over the independence of MUBS, for over a decade.

In 2007, Makerere declined to recognise the over 15,000 students MUBS admitted on the then unaccredited courses. It took the Government’s intervention for the courses to be accredited.