The 5th edition of the All Africa Inter University Games was on Tuesday flagged off by President Y.K Museveni at an opening ceremony at Mandela National Stadium. The President was the chief guest at the colourful ceremony that kicked off at 4pm. "It’s now my pleasure to declare these games open," he said as he launched the games after his speech, to loud cheer from the spectators.
This followed a vibrant parade of all the participants from various countries accompanied by their flags and tunes from the Uganda Police band.
The president stressed the importance of games and sports in preventing youth from running into troubles, citing alcoholism that would lead them to catch HIV/AIDS. "Sports are good because they keep you occupied, preventing you from running into trouble," he said. "As you enjoy sports, you avoid peer pressure and advertisements that may tempt you to catch AIDS".
He however emphasised fair play among participants and acceptance of defeat. "You should not look at sports as war, when you lose you should congratulate the victor." He said, because sports promote culture and fair competition.
The President also took time to promote Uganda’s several tourism sites and good climatic conditions which will favour the games. "Where you are standing now is above 1300m above sea level on top of being across the equator", explaining why they would neither find in too cold nor too hot. "The longest river in the world also starts from this country and I hope you get time to visit it", he said.
The Minister of Education and Sports, Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire lauded the University Primary Education progamme for supporting education, acknowledging the presence of UPE products among Ugandan participants. "Thank you your excellence for the moral and financial support," she said, "the Games to promote good social interactions among students of various universities in Africa".
For the Minister of Education and Sports, it was a spotlight away from the on raging school fires. Where the way her ministry has handled the situation has been criticised and some sections of the public have called her to step-down. The Games should promote good social interactions among students of various universities in Africa.
Livingstone Luboobi the Vice Chancellor of the host Makerere University also welcomed all the participants to Makerere University, and feel at home.
Up to six Primary and secondary schools attended; Kisoga P/S from Mukono, Victoria from Jinja, and Nsaus P/S, Katikamu, Njejje High ,Lukomera from Luwero. As light was quick fading, hundreds of pupils from these schools put a well choreographed show, in floodlights, forming colourful formations of the Ugandan flag and a flower to loud jubilation.
Several dance groups provided entertainment, including Ndere Troupe.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of State for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi, the President Africa University Sports Federation, Members of Parliament and many other dignitaries.
The head of the local organising committee promised that the Games would be, ‘dynamic, interesting and successful’. Thanking the minister of sports Charles Bakkabulindi.
The 1st edition of the All Africa University Games was held in 1974 in Accra Ghana, Nairobi hosted the 2nd edition in 1978. Due to financial problems, the 3rd edition was held in 2002 in Nigeria. South Africa held the last edition from where Uganda won the bid to host the 5th edition.
South Africa which has the largest traveling contingent and will seek to defend the championship they won at home.
Competition will rage in 17 sports disciplines, most of then will be held at Makerere University, other venues will be at Lugogo and Mandela National Stadium
The Ugandan team is Comprised of Various Universities; Makerere, Ndejje, Mukono Christian university, KIU, Kyambogo, Kampala, and Mbarara University among others.
The Games have attracted up to 18 countries, but 14 were available for the opening ceremony. Congo, DR Congo, and Egypt will arrive as the games kick off. The Games will end on the 16th of July.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
MUK Lecturers go on strike
An apparent lecturers strike is slated to mar the opening of the first semester of the academic 2008-09 at Makerere University. With newly admitted first years expected to report on the 16th of August for their orientation week to acclimatise with the new environment before being joined by the rest of the students on the official opening day a week later, on 23rd August.
The row started when the university wanted to introduce a plan to appoint the lecturers on five year contracts basis. Which the lectures through their body, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) rejected and instead demanded for their benefits first paid before discontinuing their current contracts.
Several meetings have been held but the University management and MUASA seem not to come to an agreement as the opening g of the university draws closer. The lectuers accuse the university of failing to improve on their salaries and teaching materials in addition to diverting money meant for pension.
MUASA deputy chairperson Dr. Paddy Musana said they would not allow a plan that would see over 1500 lectuers’ pact with the University that allows them work until 60 years be cancelled and have them re-apply for five year contracts.
Prof. John Jean Baria a lecturer at the University while on a radio talk show on stated that problems have always been there, stressing that the University being calm does not mean there is no problem. He went on to say that a strike a right one can exercise when ever aggrieved. "You should realise that to withdraw labour is a right which you can use when you are aggrieved" he said.
Prof. Baria also said the problem with the University was that it was both a private and a public University. "This is legally a public university but majority of the students are private, hence most of the money comes from the private students". The public university is funded by government while private students pay for the public institution. He claimed the university was running on a deficit of Shs 50 billion pointing to lack of support from the government. The government has refused to endorse the increase of fees for private students of late, nor does it want government sponsorerd students be burdened to boost the institution financially.
But the university went a head to increase ‘functional’ fees paid by government sponsored students apart from what government contributes. This saw the introduction of development fees Shs.123, 500 and technology fees Shs. 50,000 raising the fee to nearly Shs 200,000 contrary to the shs32,000 previously government sponsored students paid for Identity card, an undergraduate gown, rules book and hospital registration. The government was not pleased with this action.
On the same day Prof. Venacious Baryamureeba the Dean of Computing and IT and also a member of the council said that reports that he was the one leaking information to the media were defamatory and warned of legal implications. "As a Dean and member of the council , I would not benefit from leaking information to the media", he said, " everyone can access such information, even secretaries in Vice Chancellors office where such information is photocopied. Saying that Prof. David Justin Bakibinga who voiced the allegation has been witch hunting him right from the University wall fence saga.
The at MUK crisis started two years ago when government and University management agreed to increase salaries of the staff. The problem has since increased for from just increase of lecturers’ salaries to others. At the beginning of the previous semester, lectuers sat down for two weeks because of what they called lack off teaching materials, like chemicals especially in Science courses..
The opening of the new semester in a week’s time also looks to be surrounded by a lecturers’ strike and the reaction of the students is yet to be seen since in most cases students usually jump in to join the strike which tends to gets violent.
The row started when the university wanted to introduce a plan to appoint the lecturers on five year contracts basis. Which the lectures through their body, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) rejected and instead demanded for their benefits first paid before discontinuing their current contracts.
Several meetings have been held but the University management and MUASA seem not to come to an agreement as the opening g of the university draws closer. The lectuers accuse the university of failing to improve on their salaries and teaching materials in addition to diverting money meant for pension.
MUASA deputy chairperson Dr. Paddy Musana said they would not allow a plan that would see over 1500 lectuers’ pact with the University that allows them work until 60 years be cancelled and have them re-apply for five year contracts.
Prof. John Jean Baria a lecturer at the University while on a radio talk show on stated that problems have always been there, stressing that the University being calm does not mean there is no problem. He went on to say that a strike a right one can exercise when ever aggrieved. "You should realise that to withdraw labour is a right which you can use when you are aggrieved" he said.
Prof. Baria also said the problem with the University was that it was both a private and a public University. "This is legally a public university but majority of the students are private, hence most of the money comes from the private students". The public university is funded by government while private students pay for the public institution. He claimed the university was running on a deficit of Shs 50 billion pointing to lack of support from the government. The government has refused to endorse the increase of fees for private students of late, nor does it want government sponsorerd students be burdened to boost the institution financially.
But the university went a head to increase ‘functional’ fees paid by government sponsored students apart from what government contributes. This saw the introduction of development fees Shs.123, 500 and technology fees Shs. 50,000 raising the fee to nearly Shs 200,000 contrary to the shs32,000 previously government sponsored students paid for Identity card, an undergraduate gown, rules book and hospital registration. The government was not pleased with this action.
On the same day Prof. Venacious Baryamureeba the Dean of Computing and IT and also a member of the council said that reports that he was the one leaking information to the media were defamatory and warned of legal implications. "As a Dean and member of the council , I would not benefit from leaking information to the media", he said, " everyone can access such information, even secretaries in Vice Chancellors office where such information is photocopied. Saying that Prof. David Justin Bakibinga who voiced the allegation has been witch hunting him right from the University wall fence saga.
The at MUK crisis started two years ago when government and University management agreed to increase salaries of the staff. The problem has since increased for from just increase of lecturers’ salaries to others. At the beginning of the previous semester, lectuers sat down for two weeks because of what they called lack off teaching materials, like chemicals especially in Science courses..
The opening of the new semester in a week’s time also looks to be surrounded by a lecturers’ strike and the reaction of the students is yet to be seen since in most cases students usually jump in to join the strike which tends to gets violent.
In Mourinho, Chelsea lost a Coach, Manager and a PRO
I would not consider them as a big team but surely, but surely who would have called Chelsea a serious club before the special one, José Mourinho came along. Though Roman Abromavich’s money elevated them to a level worth recognising, never had it at any one point instilled class, organization and winning mentality in them. Therefore success in terms of titles was not easy to come by.
To set pace in his Blue Revolution, Abromavich hired Mourinho, in 2004. A coach who had raised the ranks rapidly in a very short time in Portugal, especially with FC Porto. Where he used hardly known players like Anderson Deco, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Carlos Alberto, and Beni McCarthy to win the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the UEFA Champions League the following year.
In this era with these big clubs, no one can just take the UEFA like Real Madrid did I the 1960’s. It’s no surprise that upon his arrival, he regarded himself as the special one, a man who was only next after God, and had come to salvage the Blues. The Blue Revolution was now underway, both on the pitch and in the media.
And indeed Mourinho delivered in his first season, where he bagged a double for Chelsea (Premier League and the Carling Cup). He used his coaching abilities to transform John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Joe Cole into players worth mentioning as one of the best.
Although criticised of his managerial potentials, the fact remain that a poor manager can not achieve what Mourinho has done in a short time. He put together winning teams where ever he went, Benfica, Porto and even at Chelsea where he started well until Abromavich started interfering in his work. An action great managers will never tolerate.
The arrogant Mourinho made Chelsea a popular club, never mind their style of play, won them many (especially Female) fans. In his actions on the pitch, appearance, statements he made, what one would regard as publicity stunts and titles he won.
The reaction of his senior players and funs carrying a banner bearing, Mourinho simply the best Abromavich’s face shows how they liked him. Though life goes on, Chelsea will never be the same again without Jose Mourinho.
That’s why I would like you to watch out for Inter Milan, because Mour is about to take them to another level.
To set pace in his Blue Revolution, Abromavich hired Mourinho, in 2004. A coach who had raised the ranks rapidly in a very short time in Portugal, especially with FC Porto. Where he used hardly known players like Anderson Deco, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Carlos Alberto, and Beni McCarthy to win the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the UEFA Champions League the following year.
In this era with these big clubs, no one can just take the UEFA like Real Madrid did I the 1960’s. It’s no surprise that upon his arrival, he regarded himself as the special one, a man who was only next after God, and had come to salvage the Blues. The Blue Revolution was now underway, both on the pitch and in the media.
And indeed Mourinho delivered in his first season, where he bagged a double for Chelsea (Premier League and the Carling Cup). He used his coaching abilities to transform John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Joe Cole into players worth mentioning as one of the best.
Although criticised of his managerial potentials, the fact remain that a poor manager can not achieve what Mourinho has done in a short time. He put together winning teams where ever he went, Benfica, Porto and even at Chelsea where he started well until Abromavich started interfering in his work. An action great managers will never tolerate.
The arrogant Mourinho made Chelsea a popular club, never mind their style of play, won them many (especially Female) fans. In his actions on the pitch, appearance, statements he made, what one would regard as publicity stunts and titles he won.
The reaction of his senior players and funs carrying a banner bearing, Mourinho simply the best Abromavich’s face shows how they liked him. Though life goes on, Chelsea will never be the same again without Jose Mourinho.
That’s why I would like you to watch out for Inter Milan, because Mour is about to take them to another level.
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