Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has blocked a meeting organized by the Joint Staff Association to discuss alleged corruption in appointments, stating that the association is unknown to the university management.
This comes a day after the Joint Staff Association, comprising leaders from the Makerere University Academic Staff Association, the National Union of Education Institutions, and the Makerere University Administrative Staff, wrote to the Council chairperson, Lorna Magara.
They alleged that they had received information implicating some Council members and members of the Appointments Board for soliciting bribes from some applicants.
The staff also indicated that they have an audio recording in which a member of staff is heard soliciting bribes of up to five million Shillings.
The staff also pointed out the promotion of Barnabas Nawangwe to the position of professor in 2013 and his eventual appointment as vice chancellor in 2017 and 2022, alleging corruption.
Their allegation is based on what they said was Nawangwe’s lack of 10 peer-reviewed publications and two books in his area of specialization.
The staff is also aggrieved by the flagrant disregard for the Human Resource Manual of the University, which bars appointing people in acting capacities beyond 12 months.
However, this morning Nawangwe wrote to the University Chief Security Officer, directing him to ensure that the meeting scheduled for this afternoon does not happen on campus.
He explained that the Makerere University Joint Staff Association that called the meeting is not recognized by management and that the discussions on the agenda are not within the mandate of staff associations.
Ritah Namisango, the Principal Public Relations Officer, said the University Council would sit within two weeks and respond to the issues raised.
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