President Museveni opens MUBS library and calls for more Science faculties

President Yoweri Museveni (in hat) during the commissioning of a mult billion MUBS University Library, center is Principal Wasswa Balunywa (5th right) and Education Misister Jesca Arupo (3rd right) at Nakawa on 8/2/2011. PPU photo

President Yoweri Museveni opened a state-of-the-art mega library at Makerere University Business School in Nakawa Division with an appeal to the management to start new science courses that are marketable.

The President who, on arrival, toured the University’s facilities that included the Chaplaincy to which he contributed Shs.30 million each for construction, congratulated MUBS for the magnificent library saying they followed the footsteps of the Biblical King Solomon who did not pray for riches but opted for wisdom. He said MUBS asked for knowledge which is a correct vision. The University currently has a student population of 15,700 being served by 350 academic staff.

President Museveni unveiling a plaque at the commissioning of a multi-billion dollar library at MUBS

President Museveni also congratulated the management of MUBS for their correct prioritization of having a library and lecture theatres other than dormitories. He strongly advised the management to emulate Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and start another faculty like that for science teachers who are now on great demand.

On the issue of internship for students from Universities, President Museveni directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to have a proper plan for the students, especially girls, who are vulnerable to unscrupulous people at the time of searching for placement for internship.

On the students’ study loan scheme, the President said that the programme could not take off immediately because government had to deal with issues pertaining to electricity development which programme was blocked by some MPs and in the past 7 years, government was spending over Shs.1.5 trillion to subsidize power generation sector in the country. He, however, gave assurances that the students’ loan scheme will now be looked into.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Major Jessica Alupo reported that her Ministry contributed over Shs. 8 billion out of the over Shs.13 billion spent on the construction of the new MUBS’ library that has a sitting capacity of 1000.

She congratulated the students and staff of MUBS for being very disciplined and shunning strikes.

The Chairman of the Council of MUBS, Dr. Colin Sentongo, said that with the new library now in place, research by students of the institution will greatly improve.

The Principal MUBS, Professor Wasswa Balunywa, expressed the need for support in the area of training the staff at doctoral level.