By KT Reporter
The Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, has asked for parliamentary intervention of 65 billion shillings in seed capital for infrastructure development.
She said the money would assist in improving the current state of the crumbling infrastructure, particularly in the Faculty of Medicine, which has put the institute at risk of closure due to overcrowding and dilapidation.
“We inherited outdated facilities and have not received the necessary seed capital for expansion, but also the number of students is high, but the available infrastructure like the Laboratories, lecturer rooms, Hostels, and office space is worrying”.
Prof Byakika-Kibwika was meeting the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, at Emburara Gardens in Mbarara City.
She said that the university also faces other funding issues of Non-wage, recurrent operational funding of 8.181 billion Shillings, which is only 53.5% of the total recurrent budget.
She added that the staffing gaps have also affected quality training and research capabilities, noting that the institute has an academic staff of only 25%, with only five Professors and ten Associate Professors.
Tayebwa acknowledged the gravity of the challenges faced by MUST and promised that he would present their case to the relevant parliamentary bodies for consideration.
Angella Nakato Muyingo, the Communication officer MUST, said that the relevant departments had started preparing the necessary documentation to present them formally to parliament-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
