KAMPALA —
The Makerere University Appointments Board has contraversally reappointed Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe as the institution’s vice chancellor for another five-year term.
In a letter dated Friday, August 12, 2022, the University Secretary, Yusuf Kiranda, announced the reappointment of Nawangwe.
Citing Section 31 of the Universities and Other Institutions Act 2001, Kiranda said Nawangwe deserved another five years at the helm of the institution, explaining that he had achieved a lot during his first term.
I am extremely humbled by the confidence put in me by the Chancellor and the University Council in re-appointing me as Vice Chancellor of this great institution for another five years. I pledge total commitment to serve @Makerere and Uganda diligently, God being my guide. pic.twitter.com/XLQrndxCKw
— Barnabas Nawangwe (@ProfNawangwe) August 12, 2022
He added that the reappointment was as recommended by the University Council.
The development will come as a slap in the face of Makerere University lecturers who had given the University Council a 10-day ultimatum to start the process of appointing a new Vice-Chancellor to replace Prof Barnabas Nawangwe or else they go to court.
In a letter dated August 8, 2022, addressed to the chairperson of the University Council, Lorna Magara, the university staff led by Associate Professor Jude Sempebwa and Dr. Muhwezi Deus Kamunyu, through their lawyers at Nassuuna and Company Advocates, stated that while Prof. Nawangwe’s tenure expires on August 31, 2022, there appear to be no plans by the authorities to replace him.
“We have observed that the tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, is coming to an end on August 31st, 2022. Although the tenure is coming to an end, the search process for a Vice-Chancellor has not been started to find a replacement, the Dons said.
They also warned of a sinister plan by the university leadership to reappoint Prof Nawangwe to the position even though the university human resource manual does not allow it.
In spite of our clients’ interest and the demand of the Joint Staff Association Executives that the University Council should constitute a Search Committee for the position of Vice Chancellor as required by law, our clients have waited for the search process to start in vain,” the letter reads in part.
