Makerere University is withholding students’ academic documents over Shs13 billion in outstanding fees, its management has told Parliament, as MPs questioned the institution over financial accountability, sexual-harassment allegations and compliance with academic regulations.
University Secretary and Accounting Officer Yusuf Kiranda led the university officials before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Monday, October 26, 2026, to respond to queries arising from the Auditor General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The committee, chaired by Patrick Nsamba Oshabe, also raised concerns about the university’s handling of sexual-harassment allegations and its restrictions on access to Freedom Square, among other matters.
On sexual harassment, the officials said reported cases had been handled and that the most recent case was before the university’s disciplinary committee.
“Alleged cases of sexual harassment have been dealt with decisively. The most recent case is being processed by the disciplinary committee. A number of staff have been dismissed on grounds of sexual harassment and at no time will such harassment be allowed at the Ivory Tower,” one official told the committee.
The MPs also questioned the restrictions on political activities at Freedom Square, a space historically used for student gatherings and public debate.
The university management defended its policy, arguing that restrictions on activities at the square had helped reduce strikes.
However, Kiranda also explained that management had introduced advance booking for meetings to address clashes over the use of university venues.
On financial accountability, the committee questioned the university over approximately Shs200 billion reportedly remaining unspent at the close of the financial year and asked why the money had not been returned to the Consolidated Fund as required under public finance rules.
“You had Shs200 billion that was not spent at the end of the financial year. Why didn’t you remit it back to the Consolidated Fund as required by the Public Finance Management Act?” MPs asked.
The officials reportedly struggled to explain the matter, saying the funds were tied to ongoing commitments.
The committee also faulted the university for appearing without its work plan. In response, Nsamba ordered that the university planner be handed over to Parliament’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) until the work plan was provided.
“You have come before PAC without a work plan. That is unacceptable. We are handing over your Planner to CID at Parliament until the University work plan is provided,” Nsamba said.
The withholding of students’ academic documents also drew scrutiny, with MPs questioning whether the practice was lawful and whether it could prevent graduates from securing employment and earning money to clear their outstanding fees.
“We are holding academic documents for students who have failed to clear Shs13 billion. We have to recover this money for the university to run,” Kiranda said.
The committee further questioned the viability of seven academic programmes that had received accreditation but attracted no students during the review period.
“You have seven programmes that were accredited but attracted zero students during admission. What is the viability of such programmes?” MPs asked.
Members also raised concerns over a postgraduate programme that reportedly admitted 337 students beyond the maximum enrolment limit approved by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), without seeking a review or renewal of its accreditation.
The committee described the reported admission of students beyond the approved limit as illegal and questioned why the university had failed to comply with the relevant requirements.
The concerns add to scrutiny of public universities’ use of resources, student outcomes and compliance with academic standards.