KAMPALA- The Makerere University has on January 11 rubbished allegations on social media that students meant to graduate will be allowed to graduate gowns after a crisis his region’s to institution.
Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, the acting Makerere University communications and international relations manager labelled the information as false and misleading.
“Graduands and their parents, guardians and the general public are requested to disregard malicious propaganda being spread on social media and other media platforms claiming that graduands will attend the graduation ceremony without the necessary academic dress,” reads a post in part on the University social media page.
Dr. Kiggundu explained that management has put in place emergency measures to ensure that gowns for all graduands are ready by the day they attend the ceremony
Dr. Kiggundu explained that official supplier of gowns for students graduating next week informed management at the last minute that he was experiencing challenges supplying all graduation gowns on time.
University said the suppliers actions are a breach of contract.
“Management regrets the inconvenience and anxiety created by the Contractor’s failure to honour the contract and assures all graduands that everything necessary is being done to ensure a smooth graduation ceremony,” reads an excerpt.
Makerere University management threatened to sue Team Uniform Limited, the university’s graduation gowns supplier if they do not deliver all the required gowns, caps and hoods on time.
In a letter dated January 10, 2020, signed by the University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda addressed to the Director Team Uniform Steven Kasumba, the latter is accused of breaching the contract that was executed on February 20, 2017, for the sale of graduation gowns to the former.
“The 70th graduation is scheduled for January 14 to January 17, 2020. To date, however, you have only delivered 6383 gowns, 900 caps, 6792 hoods. These were delivered in different installments on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 January 2020,” reads an excerpt.
According to Kiranda, the number of gowns, caps and hoods delivered so far is less than what is required for the 70th graduation.
The ceremony will be held from Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th January
According to the university website, a total of 13,509 graduands (50.5% female and 49.5% male) will be conferred upon degrees and awarded diplomas during the four-day ceremony at the Freedom Square.
A total of 420 graduands obtained a cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) above 4.40 hence attaining First Class Degrees.
