Policy on science a joke, says new MUK guild boss
AFTER 48 hours of voting and non-stop negotiations, Maurice Henry Kibalya was declared the guild president at Makerere University. He talked to <b>Timothy Makokha</b> about his projects at the Ivory Tower and aspirations for Uganda.
AFTER 48 hours of voting and non-stop negotiations, Maurice Henry Kibalya was declared the guild president at Makerere University. He talked to Timothy Makokha about his projects at the Ivory Tower and aspirations for Uganda.
QUESTION : It has been a gruelling race. You must be looking forward to your ‘honeymoon.’
ANSWER: My victory comes only too late after my honeymoon.
I have a chain of tests to sit, but above all, I have urgent issues to address as a student leader.
What will be your first project as you take onto your new responsibilities?
I will reconcile the student community with lecturers. There is a belief among students that lecturers often short-change them. The two co-exist and we should not have this feeling of suspicion. I will also build the students’ voice to encourage dialogue between the students, administrators and the public.
What issues do you seek to address during your reign?
By the time I leave office, the issue of missing results should be history.
Similarly, getting transcripts after graduation should be as easy as sitting exams.
There is also inadequate supply of books and limited reading space in departmental libraries. I wish to see this scenario come to an end. I will also work with the students to protect, promote and restore the image of the university. I will invite the Government to assess the capacity of the university hospital to serve the student population. Presently, the hospital is there to only extort money from students yet no service is delivered.
What difference do you seek to bring to the guild office?
I want to build confidence in the guild by encouraging dialogue and court action instead of reeling with fine speeches.
What is your take on abstinence?
I might not be abstaining, but I am behind those who abstain.
We must live up to our standards and espouse the highest moral standards in society.
What about the Government’s stand on science policy?
This is a joke. In any case, Uganda has never lacked scientists. If we cannot reward the ones we already have, we shall not stop the ones we are training from seeking greener pastures in the west.
So we are supposed to be lifting presidential term limits!
I am 100 per cent anti-third term because it will be in total betrayal of the nation if the president comes for another term. We all must respect our words and live by the commitments we make for the sake of posterity and the greater good of the nation.
We must resist the force of our whims to misuse national stage for personal gains.
What role will the student leadership play in the coming political transition?
We are the cream of society and must live by this challenge. We shall guide the rest of society about what is right and wrong, especially in respecting the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. We shall stand in the way of those who wish to set bad precedents by changing the Constitution to suit their personal whims at the expense national good.
What about the referendum next month?
To go to a referendum is like a man asking whether he should wear a pair of trousers. What else can he wear? We are ready for parties and the money allocated to the referendum can be re-channelled into other projects. My constituency will not take part in wasting resources instead of drawing a solid transition framework.
Who sponsored your campaigns?
My family, friends and the coalition of parties (G6) sponsored me. I am a member of Uganda Young Democrats but for the sake of unity of political parties, I sought assistance from the G6.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I will be actively involved in national politics, probably an MP for Kabula South in Kamuli district.
Which politician do you admire the most?
Jaberi Bidandi Ssali. He is a patriot.
Who is Maurice Henry Kibalya?
I am an assertive, open-minded man with an iron-will to conquer. I also think I am a friendly man.
Kibalya at a glance
25-year-old Maurice Henry Kibalya was born to Mr and Mrs John Tumeino in Kitayundwa, Bugabula, Kamuli District.
He narrowly survived death when a cow charged at him as he drove his father’s animals to the well. By the time his father rescued him, he was hiding under a small tree.
Kibalya was a stubborn boy who could not fight. He says he liked singing in a choir and in P3, he was already a soloist.
He went to Nakunage Primary School.
He studied his O’level at Busoga College, Mwiri.
Kibalya did his A’level at Kampala Students’ Centre
He was a prefect in primary through to O’ level and an opinion leader at Kampala Students’ Centre.
He then joined Makerere University and where he is studying Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Compiled by
Pidson Kareire
QUESTION : It has been a gruelling race. You must be looking forward to your ‘honeymoon.’
ANSWER: My victory comes only too late after my honeymoon.
I have a chain of tests to sit, but above all, I have urgent issues to address as a student leader.
What will be your first project as you take onto your new responsibilities?
I will reconcile the student community with lecturers. There is a belief among students that lecturers often short-change them. The two co-exist and we should not have this feeling of suspicion. I will also build the students’ voice to encourage dialogue between the students, administrators and the public.
What issues do you seek to address during your reign?
By the time I leave office, the issue of missing results should be history.
Similarly, getting transcripts after graduation should be as easy as sitting exams.
There is also inadequate supply of books and limited reading space in departmental libraries. I wish to see this scenario come to an end. I will also work with the students to protect, promote and restore the image of the university. I will invite the Government to assess the capacity of the university hospital to serve the student population. Presently, the hospital is there to only extort money from students yet no service is delivered.
What difference do you seek to bring to the guild office?
I want to build confidence in the guild by encouraging dialogue and court action instead of reeling with fine speeches.
What is your take on abstinence?
I might not be abstaining, but I am behind those who abstain.
We must live up to our standards and espouse the highest moral standards in society.
What about the Government’s stand on science policy?
This is a joke. In any case, Uganda has never lacked scientists. If we cannot reward the ones we already have, we shall not stop the ones we are training from seeking greener pastures in the west.
So we are supposed to be lifting presidential term limits!
I am 100 per cent anti-third term because it will be in total betrayal of the nation if the president comes for another term. We all must respect our words and live by the commitments we make for the sake of posterity and the greater good of the nation.
We must resist the force of our whims to misuse national stage for personal gains.
What role will the student leadership play in the coming political transition?
We are the cream of society and must live by this challenge. We shall guide the rest of society about what is right and wrong, especially in respecting the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. We shall stand in the way of those who wish to set bad precedents by changing the Constitution to suit their personal whims at the expense national good.
What about the referendum next month?
To go to a referendum is like a man asking whether he should wear a pair of trousers. What else can he wear? We are ready for parties and the money allocated to the referendum can be re-channelled into other projects. My constituency will not take part in wasting resources instead of drawing a solid transition framework.
Who sponsored your campaigns?
My family, friends and the coalition of parties (G6) sponsored me. I am a member of Uganda Young Democrats but for the sake of unity of political parties, I sought assistance from the G6.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I will be actively involved in national politics, probably an MP for Kabula South in Kamuli district.
Which politician do you admire the most?
Jaberi Bidandi Ssali. He is a patriot.
Who is Maurice Henry Kibalya?
I am an assertive, open-minded man with an iron-will to conquer. I also think I am a friendly man.
Kibalya at a glance
Kibalya did his A’level at Kampala Students’ Centre
Compiled by
Pidson Kareire