Makerere — Nkumba University Vice Chancellor and veteran educationist Senteza Kajubi has said Uganda is facing an education crisis at a time when it should put emphasis on higher education to survive in a competitive global village.

Prof. Kajubi a former Makerere University vice chancellor was on Tuesday speaking at a public lecture on the challenges of higher education in Uganda, at Makerere University.

"On average the government gives Shs3 million shillings to train a medical doctor yet the university needs Shs10 million for the task. For the humanities the government gives Shs2 million while the university needs Shs4 million," Prof. Kajubi said.

The lecture was organised by Kulika Charitable Trust. He said universities are poorly funded yet they find it difficult to increase tuition. He said whenever they attempt to do so students go on strike claiming they are from poor families.

He said the government does not provide enough money to cater for the 4,000 students it sponsors in public universities. Prof. Kajubi said for higher education to have an impact, students should be trained in values and skills necessary for the graduates to survive in a hostile environment.

He wondered whether university education had contributed to the development of the country. "Corruption is so rampant in Uganda and yet most of those involved went through our universities. The people who stole Global Fund money meant for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria were university graduates. This leaves me to wonder whether university education has promoted development in Uganda," he said.

Prof. Kajubi, however, said despite all the difficulties the country is going through the best option for the development of Uganda is still in attaining higher education.

Quoting from the 'World Is Flat' by American Journalist and author, Thomas Friedman, Prof. Kajubi said Ugandans have either to opt for higher education or get eaten by the lions of globalisation.

He urged Ugandans to develop a culture of giving and take advantage of the information technology age to market themselves and seek higher education.