In June this year, the committee instituted to unearth sexual harassment scam that rocked the Makerere University in the recent past, in their report cited key among others; power relations, dressing codes and the relationship between lectures.

The committee led by Dr. Sylvia Tamale in a report recommended for an extensive policy review and that a clearly revised document should demarcate policy statements and procedural guidelines in regards to the vice.

The committee also called for the investigation and proper disposal of cases involving sexual harassment and installation of CCTV cameras in strategic places around the campus.

“In view of victims’ fear for retaliation, the policy should allow for alternative modes of presenting testimonies at the request of the victim. For example via pre-recorded video or written evidence,” the committee recommended.

The report also indicated that human nature, which drives men to satisfy their sexual fantasies and needs, psychological disorders on the part of the predators, male misinterpretation of female friendliness and indiscipline of the predators also contributed to sexual harassment at Makerere University.

However, the outrage on sexual assault and harassment has remained the proverbial thorn at Uganda’s oldest institution of higher learning.

Many students’ cries have remained unheard as university officials take a back seat on crucial points raised in the report.

Ms Ritah Namisango on Monday afternoon told this website that the university has no money to install cameras [CCTV].

“You see some of these recommendations are not applicable like you can’t install cameras to each and every corner of this university,” she said also adding students have the power to refuse sexual harassment.

He also said that the University has put an office at the school to handle such related sexual assault and harassment among others issues.

However, the Director of Makerere University Gender and Mainstreaming, Dr. Euzobia Mugisha Baine in a telephone interview confirmed that the offices have been established to handle the matters.  

She, however, castigated university officials for remaining silent on matters especially on revising the policy statements and procedural guidelines in regards the vice.

 “As gender and mainstreaming, we encourage students to let someone know right away in case a person is engaging them in actions that they don’t feel comfortable with,”

They should also need to acquaint themselves with the University policy and regulations against sexual harassment

“The policy clearly defines sexual harassment and provides its various forms. It provides details on whom you should contact and where to go in case you are harassed,” Dr. Mugisha said.

 “The university appointed the Sexual Harassment Committee, some of the members are placed at the respective colleges, don’t hesitate to contact them,” she said.

The institution has received negative publicity  over the vice with the recent case being a one Dr. Swizen Kyomuhendo from the Department of Social Work and Social Administration who was on March 1 suspended from university service after a television expose` left him in a compromising state with the unnamed female student troubled with her marks she needed to graduate on time.

In April, the university administration suspended Mr Edward Kisuze, an administrative assistant in the Department of the Academic Registrar, who was pictured performing a sexual act on a student on social networking site WhatsApp.

The expose` indicated the beleaguered university lecturer had suggested meeting the student in a hotel room in Kikoni, a Kampala suburb.