Makerere bans miniskirts, tights
Richard Wanambwa
Makerere
The authorities at Makerere University have finalised a proposal that seeks to set penalties for on-campus students who dress provocatively.
The guidelines, which are likely to be announced when the next semester begins in August, would also affect female lecturers and other administrative staff, the Students Guild said in a statement on Saturday.
An offender could receive written warnings, be asked to apologise before the relevant committee or, in exceptional circumstances, even be suspended from the university.
It is understood that the university will ban tight-fitting and minimalist items of clothing, according to the statement, signed by Mr Onesimus Twinamasiko, the minister for information.
Female students, for example, will be advised to adhere to a dress code that tallies with events for which they will be in attendance. They will be advised, for example, that mini skirts have no place in the lecture rooms.
Mr John Ekudu-Adoku, the dean of students, said the policy was intended to inspire behavioural change, especially on the part of female students.
We think that rules dont change people but once you talk to them they can change. Primetime session organised by Pastor Martin Ssempa and Go-Getters (opponents of cross-generational sex) are all involved in trying to change students, Mr Ekudu said.
Prof Livingstone Luboobi, the vice chancellor confirmed that the policy was passed by the university. The decision to introduce a sexual harassment policy, or even a dress code, was on top of Prof. Luboobis agenda for the university when he got the job in 2004.
But the process to implement those regulations was slow, in part because of the realisation that there were other academic priorities to tackle.
An anti-sexual harassment committee, led by Prof. Luboobi, will be tasked to hear complaints from both students and staff. It will be comprised of student leaders and representatives from both academic and administrative staff.
Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, the prime minister who is a former chancellor of Makerere University, said the policy would make it compulsory for students to act responsibly.
Its important for Makerere to initiate the policy but parents should participate , Prof Nsibambi said.
In an interview with the Daily Monitor last year, Prof. Luboobi confirmed that it was indeed true that sexual harassment happens at Makerere University.
He also revealed at the time that a professor had lost his job after an internal investigation showed he was sexually harassing his female students.
It appears that the supporters of the sexual harassment policy believe that proscribing certain types of dressing would reduce the incidents of sexual harassment.
But the policy has received mixed reactions from the student community. Ms Brenda Kasabiiti, a student of Community Psychology, said she supports the new policy.
Let them be implemented. Lecturers are suffering because some girls dress so provocatively to entice them, Ms Kasabiiti said.
Ms Ritah Muwonge, a Social Sciences student, argued that a dress code would violate their freedom of expression. Mr Robert Rutaro, the president of the Students Guild, welcomed the policy, saying students should dress decently.
It is not the first time in Uganda that the wearing of mini skirts has been banned in public places.
In the 1970s, President Idi Amin, who toyed with the idea of turning Uganda into an Islamic state, causally said that he was against women wearing mini skirts or even trousers in public places. Amins word was quickly enforced.
In the early 1990s, the public had started undressing women in minis or tights allegedly in name of fighting Aids.
Source: The Monitor
Richard Wanambwa
Makerere
The authorities at Makerere University have finalised a proposal that seeks to set penalties for on-campus students who dress provocatively.
The guidelines, which are likely to be announced when the next semester begins in August, would also affect female lecturers and other administrative staff, the Students Guild said in a statement on Saturday.
An offender could receive written warnings, be asked to apologise before the relevant committee or, in exceptional circumstances, even be suspended from the university.
It is understood that the university will ban tight-fitting and minimalist items of clothing, according to the statement, signed by Mr Onesimus Twinamasiko, the minister for information.
Female students, for example, will be advised to adhere to a dress code that tallies with events for which they will be in attendance. They will be advised, for example, that mini skirts have no place in the lecture rooms.
Mr John Ekudu-Adoku, the dean of students, said the policy was intended to inspire behavioural change, especially on the part of female students.
We think that rules dont change people but once you talk to them they can change. Primetime session organised by Pastor Martin Ssempa and Go-Getters (opponents of cross-generational sex) are all involved in trying to change students, Mr Ekudu said.
Prof Livingstone Luboobi, the vice chancellor confirmed that the policy was passed by the university. The decision to introduce a sexual harassment policy, or even a dress code, was on top of Prof. Luboobis agenda for the university when he got the job in 2004.
But the process to implement those regulations was slow, in part because of the realisation that there were other academic priorities to tackle.
An anti-sexual harassment committee, led by Prof. Luboobi, will be tasked to hear complaints from both students and staff. It will be comprised of student leaders and representatives from both academic and administrative staff.
Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, the prime minister who is a former chancellor of Makerere University, said the policy would make it compulsory for students to act responsibly.
Its important for Makerere to initiate the policy but parents should participate , Prof Nsibambi said.
In an interview with the Daily Monitor last year, Prof. Luboobi confirmed that it was indeed true that sexual harassment happens at Makerere University.
He also revealed at the time that a professor had lost his job after an internal investigation showed he was sexually harassing his female students.
It appears that the supporters of the sexual harassment policy believe that proscribing certain types of dressing would reduce the incidents of sexual harassment.
But the policy has received mixed reactions from the student community. Ms Brenda Kasabiiti, a student of Community Psychology, said she supports the new policy.
Let them be implemented. Lecturers are suffering because some girls dress so provocatively to entice them, Ms Kasabiiti said.
Ms Ritah Muwonge, a Social Sciences student, argued that a dress code would violate their freedom of expression. Mr Robert Rutaro, the president of the Students Guild, welcomed the policy, saying students should dress decently.
It is not the first time in Uganda that the wearing of mini skirts has been banned in public places.
In the 1970s, President Idi Amin, who toyed with the idea of turning Uganda into an Islamic state, causally said that he was against women wearing mini skirts or even trousers in public places. Amins word was quickly enforced.
In the early 1990s, the public had started undressing women in minis or tights allegedly in name of fighting Aids.
Source: The Monitor
