Rédaction Africa Links 24 with ABUBAKER KIRUNDA
Published on 2024-02-03 11:45:00
A group of thirty-eight senior lecturers from Makerere University recently completed a five-day training in Jinja City aimed at combating moral decadence, including issues such as sexual immorality, drug abuse, corruption, and the rising prevalence of HIV/Aids. These educators, many of whom hold doctoral degrees, received specialized training to address these societal vices through a collaboration between the Office of the First Lady, Janet Museveni, and two civil society organizations, the Life Ministry and Global Leadership Summit.
The training initiative was specifically targeted at lecturers due to their frequent interaction with young people, who are particularly susceptible to moral decay. Mr. David Bahati, the state minister for trade, industry and cooperatives, represented Ms. Janet Museveni at the training and emphasized the importance of equipping lecturers with the skills to address these pressing social issues.
The partnership between the government and civil society organizations demonstrates a coordinated effort to address moral decay in society, with the specific aim of targeting the influential role that educators play in shaping the values and behaviors of young people. The government is also planning to extend similar training opportunities to lecturers at other universities, recognizing the crucial role that educators play in shaping the moral compass of the next generation.
Mr. Bahati stressed the relevance of the training to the daily interactions between lecturers and students, reaffirming the First Lady’s commitment to addressing immoral behavior among the youth. He emphasized that it is imperative for university lecturers to utilize this knowledge to positively influence the moral conduct of their students and uphold the esteemed legacy of Makerere University.
In attendance at the training, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, the Principal of the College of Natural Sciences at Makerere University, represented the Vice Chancellor and commended the government’s decision to provide specialized training to lecturers, recognizing the pivotal role they play in shaping the moral fabric of society. He stressed the importance of ensuring that educators adhere to university policies relating to ethical conduct and the prevention of sexual harassment, including instances of exchanging sexual favors for academic marks.
Addressing concerns about sexual misconduct, Prof. Ireeta clarified that the university has stringent policies in place to address such issues, with severe consequences for any individual found guilty of such behavior. Furthermore, the training aims to empower educators to instill a sense of personal responsibility and ethical behavior in their students, thereby fostering a campus culture that emphasizes integrity and respect.
Bishop Joshua Lwere, the chairperson of the Global Leaders’ Summit and former overseer of the Pentecostal Churches in Uganda, lauded the commitment of the lecturers and the university leadership to address moral decay and ethical misconduct, referring to their participation in the training as a positive step towards combating these societal challenges.
These collective efforts underscore the importance of building a morally upright society, and the pivotal role that educators play in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of future leaders. By equipping senior lecturers with the necessary skills and knowledge to address moral decay, the training initiative represents a proactive step towards fostering a culture of integrity and ethical conduct within higher education institutions.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
