Makerere faces shortage of gowns ahead of graduation week

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Makerere University is under pressure to deliver more than 13,000 customized graduation gowns ahead of its 69th graduation ceremony, slated for next week.

The institution last year adopted a mandatory fee of sh 98,000 paid by all students for an official university gown. Unlike previous years, students are expected to only use the exclusive Makerere University Graduation gown.

But the company contracted to supply the patented gowns has run shot of supply, a few days to the graduation week running from January 15 to January 18.

A source from the University Ceremonies Committee told URN that during a crisis meeting held on Friday, members of the University Management resolved to look for gowns elsewhere to boost the insufficient supply by Team Uniform Limited, a company contracted to solely supply gowns this year.

Students have been bounced severally at the gown distribution point at the senate building. They are picking gowns in beats, some with no hood while others are taking gowns without the graduation cap. Those who talked to URN said the process is tedious and frustrating.

Ruth Nakafuuma, one of the students graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism and Communication says she to make endless explanations to her employer every time she steps out to clear for her graduation. She however adds that even after several trials, the gowns remain incomplete.

Giftson Kamara, a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurial Forestry student welcomes the move by the university to monopolize the Graduation gown distribution but calls for improvements in preparations to reduce the current inconsistencies.

The university Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe says they patented the gown in order for the university ceremonies to attain the respect they should have.

Meanwhile, the move has kicked out of business, the several traders, who usually reap from the graduation through the sale and hire of graduation gowns.

Mathew Bagonza, the area LCI Chairperson says that a number of youths had secured funding through the Youth Livelihood fund and invested in making university gowns, which now do not have any market since the sole opportunity they targeted has now been closed out.

Gerald Mawanda, a tailor in Wandegeya explains that prior to the changes; they were producing a similar gown at a cost ranging between 70,000 to 80,000 Shillings, lower than the university charge.