Kyambogo University Decry Understaffing, Operating at 31%

The Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, Professor Dr Elly Katunguka, has decried the low staffing levels at the university, revealing that they are operating at 31.8% of the required staff.

Addressing a press conference, Katunguka noted that the total teaching establishment is supposed to be 1,281, but only 404 are on full time employment.

He revealed that the university has been forced to hire over 500 part timers to fill the gap which has hugely affected the non-wage bill.

Katunguka noted that Government provides Shs 67 billion as wage bill, however, the University is forced to source for over Shs 16.5 billion from the non wage bill to cater for the part timers (hired staff), which is crippling the University.

“As an institution, we hire part time lecturers to fill the gap, these are paid outside the wage allocation, so we have to use the non-wage bill, which eats away money for other activities,” he said.

He further explained that the University is supposed to have 63 professors but only 5 are hired. For senior lecturers, only 62 are employed out of the recommended 206 while only 23 are hired out of the recommended 113 Assistant Professors. 138 Assistant lecturers are employed out of the recommended 276 and only 176 lecturers are hired out of the recommended 312.

Katunguka urged government to provide more funds and increased placement of permanent staff to at least 50% in order to cut costs on the non-wage bill.

Tuition Increment 

On claims that the university had increased tuition by 50%, VC clarified that no such increment has been made. He explained that a few adjustments of less than 15% had been made in the school of Management and Entrepreneurship and the school of Built Environment.. The VC further clarified that the adjustments will not affect first year students.

He explained that Kyambogo University is historically known for having the lowest tuition fees, however, sustaining such low fees became challenging due to increased expenses.

“Recently, the University reviewed its programs and introduced new ones. As a result, the faculties and schools proposed a moderate increase in tuition fees,” the Vice Chancellor revealed. 

Katunguka noted that there will be a comprehensive review for the university fees.