University Authority Investigates 'Degree Fraud' At Top Ugandan University

Makerere University Main Building (Image source: Creative Commons)

One of Uganda's top universities has launched an investigation into allegations that fake degrees were awarded to students. Of 12,000 graduates from Makerere University, at least 600 did not meet minimum requirements, officials said.

All 600 students under scrutiny graduated from the humanities and social sciences college.

Deputy vice-chancellor Ernest Okello Ogwang disclosed he suspected exam results had been deliberately changed.

BBC reports on details of the troubling findings:

William Tayeebwa, the head of Makerere's journalism department, said that one student had failed an exam with 44%, only to have her mark altered to 71%.

But seven students from the journalism department who had qualified and been cleared to graduate discovered that their names did not appear on the final list.

"These inconsistencies with regards to results are worrying for students," said Mr Tayeebwa.

"They are concerned about the fairness of the system that will affect their future careers."

Mr Ogwang acknowledged that there were "probably fraudulent cases". He said the suspected fraud highlighted "weaknesses" in the university's system that it would need to "look into seriously".

Documents shown to the BBC reporter in Uganda indicate that all 10 colleges across the university are under investigation, despite fraud only being alleged in relation to humanities and social sciences.

The university's academic registrar has written to all department heads requesting information about how marks and graduation lists may have been altered.