During its special meeting held on 19^th February 2020, the University Council considered the Management report, the Senate report, the report of the Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee and reports of University Companies.

Council noted:

1. That the University Senate had recommended candidates for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Health Sciences and the College of Business and Management Sciences.
2. That a petition had been received from 43 staff of the College of Health Sciences regarding the search for the Principal of the College. The petition was received late in relation to the date of the Council meeting. Accordingly, more time was needed to study the matters raised.
3. That the search for Principals and Deputy Principals continued to attract low numbers of applicants. Council needed to review the low interest in the positions and undertake mitigation measures.
4. That Consultations had been ongoing regarding the search for the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) following the annulment of the initial appointment by Court. The University needed to advance the search process to another stage.
5. That for the first half of FY2019/2020, the University received a total cash release of UGX 157.966 Billion from the Consolidated Fund, representing 50% of the appropriated budget for FY2019/2020. The total Non-tax Revenue collection for the half year was UGX 56.2 Billion, representing 117% revenue performance of the estimated revenue collection for the half year period.
6. That total receipts under grants (off-budget) financing was UGX 112.26 Billion representing 42% of the approved off-budget financing for financial year 2019/2020 which is UGX 256 Billion.
7. That the University received supplementary funding of UGX 1.891 Billion from Government towards the establishment of a Forensic Sciences Institute in the College of Natural Sciences.
8. That the University experienced budget implementation challenges including a wage bill deficit of UGX 14.619 Billion and domestic arrears of UGX 46 Billion including the arrears owed to Makerere University Retirement Benefits Scheme (MURBS). The Ministry of Finance had been engaged to support the University to cover the deficit.
9. That the reports and matters concerning University Companies to wit Makerere University Holdings Company Limited, Makerere University Endowment Fund and Africa Institute for Strategic Animal Resource Services and Development (AFRISA) needed to be further studied by the responsible committees of Council including the Audit Committee, Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC), and the Legal, Rules and Privileges Committee.
10. That Management needed to investigate the operations of Makerere University Private Sector Forum (MUPSF) and make a report to Council.
11. That there was need to appoint a Board of Directors and Board of Trustees for Makerere University Holdings Company Limited and Makerere University Endowment fund.
12. That Senate had recommended the establishment of a Biomedical Research Centre in the School of Biomedical Sciences. The proposed Centre is expected to enhance research in Biomedical Sciences.
13. That the University has commenced on the process of staff appraisal. In addition, it is necessary for all Heads of Administrative Units to submit quarterly performance reports to the Vice Chancellor.
14. That Management set up a committee to investigate the administration of the 70^th graduation. The investigation was expected to address issues relating to the supply of gowns for the 70^th graduation. The Committee was also expected to provide recommendations for improving the management of graduation ceremonies.
15. That there is need to provide alternatives for graduands to access graduation gowns, the options should include hiring or purchasing the gowns.
16. That at its 148^th meeting held on 20^th December 2019, Council resolved that all short-term or stopgap contracts that expire were not to be renewed. The Appointments Board permitted the Vice Chancellor to consider urgent matters where he could extend such contracts for a maximum of three months and not exceeding 31^st March 2020.
17. That Management was undertaking commendable efforts to protect University land.
18. That based on request of the Students Guild, Management extended Guild Elections pending consideration of the proposals to amend the Guild Electoral Regulations as requested by the students during the Emergency Council Meeting of 29^th October 2019. Council had received written submissions from the Students’ Guild on the proposed amendments which need to be considered urgently.
19. That Council needs to enact a Grants Management Policy to streamline the management of grants in the University.

Council Agreed:

1. To approve the Senate recommendation of candidates for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal and accordingly recommend the following to the Chancellor for appointment:

1. To defer consideration of the Senate recommendation of the candidate for Principal of the College of Health Sciences pending the decision on the petition raised by staff of the College. The said petition shall be handled within a period of two weeks.
2. To approve the establishment of a Biomedical Research Centre in the School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences.
3. To approve the Budget Performance Report for Quarter Two of FY2019/2020.
4. To refer matters of Makerere University Holdings Company Limited and Makerere University Endowment Fund to the Audit Committee of Council.
5. To refer the proposed amendments to the Guild Electoral Regulations to the Legal, Rules and Privileges Committee, which shall report to Council within a period of one week.
6. To refer matters of AFRISA to the different Committees of Council to wit: Legal matters be considered by the Legal, Rules and Privileges Committee, Financial and Administration matters be handled by Finance, Planning, Administration and Investment Committee and Audit matters be handled by the Audit Committee
7. To require all heads of Administrative Units to submit quarterly performance reports to the Vice Chancellor who in turn shall submit the reports to Council.
8. That the University Senate be required to set up a Search Committee for the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration).
9. That Management investigates the operations of Makerere University Private Sector Forum and reports to Council at the next meeting.
10. To extend the tenure of the outgoing Board of Directors of Makerere University Holdings Company Limited and the Board of Trustees of Makerere University Endowment Fund for one-year effective 31^st August 2019.
11. That Management considers alternative ways for graduands to access graduation gowns. This should include the option of purchasing or hiring the gowns.
12. That there shall be no extension of stopgap and or short-term contracts beyond 31^st March 2020 without authorisation of the Appointments Board.
13. That management presents a proposed Grants Management Policy to the Legal, Rules and Privileges Committee within a period of two weeks.

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Lorna Magara (Mrs)                                                                                     Yusuf Kiranda

CHAIRPERSON                                                                                          SECRETARY