Professor Makara, known for his contributions to the 1994 Constituent Assembly with research content on governance, made this call during his inaugural professorial lecture at Kabale University. He recently joined Kabale University from Makerere University.
Professor Sabiti Makara, a
seasoned academic and specialist in Public Administration and Management at
Kabale University, has called for a re-evaluation of fiscal policies mandating
local governments to remit all revenue to the central government.
Professor Makara, known for
his contributions to the 1994 Constituent Assembly with research content on
governance, made this call during his inaugural professorial lecture at Kabale
University. He recently joined Kabale University from Makerere University.
His statements were prompted
by a February 2020 directive from the Ministry of Finance's Permanent Secretary
and Secretary to the Treasury, requiring local revenue to be remitted to the
consolidated fund for proper management. This directive has faced criticism for
reportedly hindering service delivery at the local government level, despite
numerous appeals for its reversal.
Addressing a diverse audience
including academia, students, civil society members, civil servants, and the
public at Kabale Municipality's packed Kikungiri Main hall, Professor Makara
expressed concern about the erosion of local government autonomy in managing
their revenue.
He argued that this undermined the principles of
decentralization, particularly affecting lower-level local governments and
municipality divisions, which often grapple with financial constraints when
funds are redistributed from the central Treasury.
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Robert Kakuru Byamugisha, the Executive
Director of "Kick Corruption out of Uganda" (KICK-U), a civil society
organization dedicated to fighting corruption, supported Professor Makara's
stance. He highlighted instances of mismanagement and diversion of funds in the
consolidated fund, diverting resources away from local governments' essential needs.
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Meanwhile, Kabale University's
Vice Chancellor, Professor Joy Constance Kwesiga, emphasized the significance
of professorial lectures as symbols of academic growth and progress. She
praised Professor Makara's wealth of knowledge and experience, which he brought
to the institution.
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About Professor Makara:
He has a distinguished career
as an academic, researcher, and consultant. He gained recognition for his
expertise in Public Administration and Management and is known for his
contributions to the media through articles addressing political and governance
issues. Before joining Kabale
University in 2023, his academic journey was influenced by the mentorship of
Professor Apolo Nsibambi, a former head of the Department of Political Science
at Makerere University, former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and
former Prime Minister of Uganda.
Under Nsibambi's guidance, Professor Makara
secured a British Council Scholarship, enabling him to study for a Master of
Public Administration and Management at the University of Liverpool in the UK.
Born in Nkongooro village,
Ntungamo District, to peasant parents, Professor Makara attended Nkongooro
Primary School, followed by Makobore High School Kinyasaano for his O and A
Level education. Subsequently, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science, Philosophy, and History at Makerere University, majoring in Political
Science.
His academic journey continued with a British Council scholarship for
a Master's degree in Public Administration and Management at the University of
Liverpool.
After completing his studies,
he began his career as a Lecturer at Makerere University. He later earned his
doctoral degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South
Africa. Professor Makara's commitment to publications, research, and academic
engagements led to his progression from a Teaching Assistant to a full
Professor.
His extensive contributions to
academia include numerous articles in international journals, available on
reputable academic portals like Google Scholar, Academia, JSTOR, and
ResearchGate. Additionally, he has authored four books, several manuscripts,
and research reports.
Professor Makara's influence
extends beyond Uganda; he serves as an External Examiner for various
universities in Africa and abroad. He has supervised over 100 graduate
students, including five Ph.D. candidates, during his academic career.
At Kabale University,
Professor Makara leads a team of researchers collaborating with Global
Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI-ACE) based in England, focusing on
anti-corruption strategies in Uganda. His consultancy work spans organizations
such as the African Union, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNESCO,
USAID, IDEA, EISA, and several NGOs in Uganda, as well as the Government of
Uganda, including roles with the Parliament, the Electoral Commission, and the
Ministries of Local Government, Energy and Mineral Development, and
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries.
Professor Makara is married to
Beatrice Kabahinda Makara, and they have four biological children, three of
whom are married, and all are graduates.
Naboth Isaac Niwagaba
Freelancer