DRESSING CODE LAW AT MUK, WHAT A JOKE!

By Peter Mutebi M.

Makerere University and Ugandan government law enforcer institutions have no difference. It’s like a father and son the only gap is, they operate in different spheres. Both believe in theories than practicals, you can compare them to false preachers who don’t mean what they say/ preach to the congregation.

Way back our Ugandan traffic Police introduced and enforced the issue of having and using seat belts in cars, public transport and speed governors in buses. This was fine, since it aimed at saving the public from dying in accidents, which were on increase.

However, it did not take even a week in place, and now it is as if the Police have never introduced any law to save people from the accidents, in less than a year, buses are still speeding and making terrible accidents. Leaving a lot questioned, for instance, where did the issue of speed governors stopped? Do these ever increasing coaches install them? What about tightening the issue of seating belts and so many other queries.

This predicament of laxity has not stopped with law enforcer institutions such as Police; it has stretched into government higher learning institutions. They pass laws and regulations governing their operational environment with out first laying good strategies on how these conventions are going to work.

Out of know where, Makerere University proposed and passed the law about dressing code at Campus in a bid to eradicate sexual harassments caused to ‘lecturers’, students and staff workers. This was first heard in Mukono Christian University where they effectively abolished indecent dressing; girls putting on tight trousers, mini-skirts, half browses (tops) famously known as “Kundi shows” and any provocative dressing.

According to MUK administration, students are not allowed to put on provocative wear (indecent dressing) as mentioned in above paragraph. Should outside world assume that MUK is now following (copying) other upcoming Universities in setting policies? Does this grant credibility to policy makers or subtracting even the little they initially had?

Come to think of it, how does MUK determines and categorizes indecency dressing? To Muslims, they consider covering yourself from head to toe as a decent dressing. Culturally, Baganda believes in ‘gomesi, Kanzus’ and busuit as an appropriate dressing code, this means diversely, people from different cultures and religions dress differently.

This explains how policy makers in MUK are messing up some would be good policies. This can be a good step which aims to aid both students and lecturers to concentrate on their studies, however, it is not well baked and cooked for both parties to understand how it works, its strengths and weaknesses.

They needed to first sanitize stakeholders about this policy to create conducive environment to understand, receive and appreciate it. Through using notice boards, flyers, and circulars, students are in position to know what is on ground and how they can go about dynamics.

This policy applies only in lecture rooms meaning, outside lectures you’re free to be half naked or completely naked! ‘Strange’, how can the whole University fail to get ways of getting a policy covering students even out side Lectures.

Dressing code law intends to cover up mostly lecturers and male students who are the victims of indecency dressing from ladies. The way ladies dress turns on lecturers and male students and as a result they end up shifting their attention from studies to these chicks hence they indulge in sexual sessions or getting harassed sexually.

According to Guild information Minister Onesimus Twinamasiko, commities were set up in every department to implement this policy, but how these departments are going to enforce this? Are students aware of whom to enforce the policy? It is on record that some departments are suffering severe laxity, if marking exams in time troubles them what about dealing with these complex and obstinate students.

Students who fail to comply with this policy will receive first a warning verbally, then a written document for a second warning and later suspension in case of persistent. There is kind of crack in these remedies, I don’t think suspension can jolt stubbornly brought up students, this exposes more the weaknesses of this policy and how poorly it was packed and passed.

I don’t think this policy is going to impact on the intended parties its just a joke! It is going to be added to collapsed policies written in the books of records at MUK and other government institutions such as Ugandan Police.

No wonder, the information minister did admit challenges being faced before even this policy applies to students though the University council approved it. It is spearheaded by Vice Chancellor, who heads a committee, which is fighting sexual harassment in the university, does VC have enough time to follow up this matter? let us give it a floor.

But, as we keep our eyes and ears open, we can still ask ourselves that, is this policy going to make it like Mukono University did? Let us keep waiting and through this space everything will be revealed.

Museveni to preside over All Africa University Games

The President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri K. Museveni, has been confirmed to preside over the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of All Africa University Games, which are going to be hosted by Makerere University due, July 7th to 16th, this year.
Ms. Peninna Kabenge, Makerere University sports tutor, revealed this while speaking to the Ivory Post sports Journalist in her office at Makerere University. “The president has confirmed that he will preside over the ceremony,” she said.
Renovations underway at Makerere main ground in preparation for All Africa Univeristy Games. Photo/Peter Mutebi
However, the government has not yet fulfilled the pledges it promised in organizing this event. “The government promised to give us assistance both financially and materially but it has not fulfilled its promise,” Kabenge said.
The government, through the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Charles Bakabulindi, promised to provide some assistance in terms of money, equipments and minimal tariffs for the imported materials to be used in preparations.
However, the Chinese University Sports Federation has boosted All Africa University Games.
The Chinese based University offered sports equipments amounting to millions of Ugandan shillings. These included 200 tracksuits, 200 cover boots, 150 balls, 50 basketballs and many other types of sports of equipments.
This came after organizers of the event launched a campaign of seeking assistance from different concerned parties including companies and universities.
“ We have embarked on a campaign of mobilizing funds. We have written to friends, well wishers and companies to come and help us,” she added.
Hima cement, a local company has also contributed more than 50 bags of cement to help in facility development. They hired professional landscapers to work on Nsibirwa grounds to make sure that they are ready before July.
Despite being in financial crisis, Makerere University administration has given the organizers enough support to see that the event become successful.
“They are trying to do what they can, though there is financial crisis,” she said.
The University is planning to renovate halls in June when students are out of the University.
“ It is very had to renovate hall facilities when students are still there, but I know we are still in time schedule and we will make sure that those facilities are ready in time,” Pennina confirmed.
“Two months are more than enough, we are going to maximize our time to put a good impression of our University,” she added.
Most venues are under construction including Tennis courts constructed by Eng. Ssewamala and terraces by Eng. Dr. Musaazi.
The team to represent Uganda is yet to converge; team members are still training separately from their respective Universities. However, they will get a chance to train as a team before final games, “ they are not together as a team but they are training in different respective places” Pennina said. Twenty four countries so far have confirmed to participate in this 5th edition.
“We are trying to convince other countries to join the twenty five who have confirmed to participate in all African University Games,” she said. Countries, which have confirmed include Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Mozambique, Angola, the defending champions S. Africa with over 250 sportsmen among others. The all Africa University games were first held in 1974 in Accra, Ghana, and then in Nairobi Kenya in 1978. This was followed by a lull due to economic and political problems. The 3rd edition was held in 2004 in Bauchi, Nigeria while the 4th was in 2006 in the city of Tswane, South Africa.Uganda was granted a chance to host the 5th edition of the All Africa Games 2008 after putting up a spectacular performance in 2006 when they emerged second to the hosts South Africa in 2006.

GOV'T TO SUPPORT ALL AFRICA UNIVERSITY GAMES

The government of Uganda has promised to give a hand to Makerere University in its preparations to host the All Africa University games due July this year.

This was after a meeting by the Vice Chancellor Makerere University, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi and the Dean of Students, Mr. John Ekudu who is also a President of the organizing committee, met the Minister of State for Sports Hon. Charles Bakabulindi on February 27, 2008.

The government pledged to provide necessary assistance to make preparations possible.

“The Vice Chancellor and Dean of students yesterday met the Minister of State for sports and he promised assistance from the government,” Carol Nantalo who is a sports administrative assistant said.

The 5^th edition of the All Africa University Games 2008 are scheduled for July 6 to16, 2008 at Makerere University where over 35 Universities are expected to participate in different sports categories.

“We are currently facing financial shortages. The government has come in time when the organizing committee is facing financial difficulties, which hinders the progress of renovating sports venues and roads,” Carol said.

She further explained that the University has tried to meet some expenses though it is not adequate.

“The University has contributed to part of the budget, but of course it can’t fulfill everything alone, we still need more assistance from other stakeholders,” she said.

The over all budget is estimated to be approximately Ush. 900m. This includes renovating of halls of residence, sports venues and operating expenses during the event.

Renovation of Halls is scheduled for May when students are about to break off for holidays. “We don’t want students to destroy renovated areas that’s why we decided to start in May,” she explained.

Talking about venues, she said, they are to consider Makerere grounds, Namboole National Stadium and near by venues. She assured the public that all venues and halls are going to be ready before the opening day.

The all Africa University games were first held in 1974 in Accra, Ghana, and then in Nairobi Kenya in 1978, this was followed by a lull due to economic and political problems. The third edition was held in 2004 in Bauchi, Nigeria, the 4^th was in 2006 in the city of Tswane, South Africa.

Uganda was granted a chance to host the 5^th edition of the All Africa Games 2008 after putting up a spectacular performance in 2006 when they emerged second to the hosts South Africa in 2006.