Kawempe North Lord Councillor Magala appointed to Makerere University Council

Kawempe North Lord Councillor, Hon. Magala Umar, has been appointed as a member of the Makerere University Council, the supreme governing body of Uganda’s oldest and most prestigious university.

The appointment, which was confirmed yesterday at the Kampala Capital City Authority – KCCA council sitting at City Hall, sees Magala Umar replace the KCCA slot on the Council which was previously held by Kateregga Julius.

Under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Section 38(1), every public university shall have a University Council consisting of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors, and representatives from key constituencies, including one representative of KCCA, one from the Ministry of Education, a representative of Convocation, Senate, staff associations, and students.

Magala, who is known in the KCCA council for his vocal and often informed debating style is a National Unity Platform (NUP) member and a former political detainee. He first shot to limelight when he sought the NUP flag for Kawempe North MP in the by-election following the death of Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya, before shifting his focus to local government. His elevation to Makerere University Council is seen as a major political promotion for Kawempe.

Magala is an alumnus of Makerere University, having studied at the School of Education. He also taught at several schools like Namwezi Secondary School, Lukalu Secondary School, Kawempe Mbogo Secondary School and Abdul Waheed High School where he served as a Head Teacher

What is the Makerere University Council?

The University Council is not ceremonial. Under Section 40 of the Act, the Council is responsible for the overall administration and implementation of the objects and functions of the University. It is responsible for the direction of the administrative, financial, and academic affairs, formulates general policy, and gives guidelines to management.

It has powerful sub-committees that Magala will now sit on or be assigned to, including:
– Appointments Board
– Finance, Planning and Administration
– Estates and Works
– Audit, and Honorary Awards Committees.

In short, the Council hires and fires top officials, approves the university budget, which is projected to grow from Shs 380bn to Shs 640bn, approves fees, and decides on major investments.

For Kawempe, which hosts Makerere University in its jurisdiction, having their Lord Councillor on the Council means better lobbying for community scholarships, jobs, and host-community projects.