Makerere University Business School Principal Prof Waswa Balunywa, has said it was worthwhile that reigning Miss Uganda cum Miss World Africa Quiin Abenakyo, be supported to complete her degree because she made the country proud despite not initially qualifying to be confirmed as graduate.
Balunywa was officially replying to several concerns from the public domain regarding the circumstances under which Abenakyo was sneaked into the graduation program without necessarily qualifying to be there.
“She made the country proud. It was worthwhile that Ms. Abenakyo be supported to complete her degree. Otherwise we would have a problem as the country would be embarrassed. If this beauty queen was found to be wanting in academics in fact negative press which was expected would have been worse if she had not graduated,” Balunywa belaboured
Balunywa reiterated that Abenakyo who was pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Computing was like many other students in their third year of studies who may have had a retake in a course of their study.
He said Abenakyo had a retake in Financial Management but was unable to retake it with her colleagues because of her involvement in the Miss Uganda beauty contest which could have eaten much into her time making her unabale to retake her examination.
“I then wrote to the Vice Chancellor requesting that Ms. Abenkayo be given the opportunity to retake the papers. Ms. Abenakyo was granted the opportunity to retake the paper which was then set and marked. By that time, the graduation book had been published.”
“Ms. Abenakyo had written earlier requesting that she be granted the opportunity to retake and given her achievements and the request it was only worthwhile that she is granted the request. She had informed me that in the coming eight (8) months, she had obligations with Miss Uganda and Miss World Organisation and would not be able to retake that paper soon.”
Balunywa agrees that the decision to give Abenakyo preferential treatment could have caused a crisis at Makerere University but maintains it was done in ‘good faith”
“I have also learnt however that the Isebantu of Busoga is planning to congratulate Abenakyo on this notable achievement. Abenkayo has an agenda of supporting the girl child. She has wanted to use her fame and position to support vulnerable people in our society. I believe our country can benefit from her influence. It is unfortunate that some people are seeking to destroy that influence. Ugandans should agree that Abenakyo should be an asset to the country to support positive change in the community especially among young girls and the youth,” he concluded.
A second year student at Makerere University yesterday petitioned Makerere University’s Academic Registrar and the respective committees at Makerere University Senate as well as the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the police, seeking to revoke a degree allegedly awarded in fault to Abenakyo.
David Musiri, a second year student of BCOM (External) at Makerere University claims the Abenakyo did not complete all the legal requirements for the award of Bachelors Degree “yet she was allowed to pretend otherwise on 18thJanuary 2018 with the blessing and enthusiastic handshake of our enigmatic Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nwangwe”.
Student reports to NCHE, Police; wants Abenakyo’s ‘fake degree’ revoked
According to Musiri, the act by the University was in bad faith as Abenakyo’s name was neither in the graduation booklet, nor is her CGPA known. He also says that this made her peers envious.
“Why should the rest of us suffer to register normal progress yet beauty queens will eventually receive preferential treatment behind closed doors, moreover in the office of the Vice Chancellor?” Musiri wonders in the letter he copied to CID and NCHE.
“The purpose of this letter is to kindly request you to place this matter before senate or its appropriate committee(s) for internal investigation and relevant action, including recalling and revoking that fake degree that was recently awarded to Ms Quiin Abenakyo in breach of established regulations.”
Musiri vows to continue to the IGG for investigations should this matter fail to get the necessary ears.
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