Makerere University Deputy Registrar arrested

Two Makerere University officials including the Deputy Academic Registrar are in police custody on charges of abuse office and gross misconduct.

Police are holding Ms Margaret Etuusa, the Deputy Registrar in charge of Certificates and Ceremonies Division and Ms Dorothy Kabanda, an administrative assistant in the same office.

 The two were picked from their offices in the Senate Building on Wednesday morning by non-uniformed police men who, according to our sources, are attached to Kibuli-based Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

 Mr Vincent Sekatte, the CID spokesperson, however, could not readily confirm the arrests.

But Charles Ssentongo, the deputy Academic Registrar in charge of undergraduate admissions, confirmed the development.

 In a telephone interview, Mr Ssentongo who is the acting Academic Registrar said: "I am aware but the right person to speak about it is the university Public Relations Officer (PRO)."

Police have been investigating the alleged misconduct and abuse office by the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu and Ms Etuusa, on the request of Makerere University Convocation (MUC).

In a May 31st letter Dr Tanga Odoi, the MUC chairperson appealed to the director of CID, Ms Grace Akullo, to investigate the duo for what he termed as gross misconduct.

Prof Ddumba is due to hand over office of vice chancellor this week after holding it for five years.

 Ms Etuusa, who is not a member of the Procurement and Disposal Unit of Makerere University, is accused of soliciting quotations for the procurement of goods, works and services that were in the 64th, 65th, 66th and 67th graduation ceremonies which was contrary to the PPDA regulations of 2014.

 Ms Etuusa was suspended in March this year on accusations of illegally hiring Exxon Contractors, a private company, to keep guests’ electronic during the 67the graduation ceremony. The company reportedly fleeced parents and graduands under the guise of securing their mobile phones and other gadgets. The company charged Shs3, 000 for each gadget placed under its custody.

But Ms Etuusa petitioned the High Court challenging her suspension, saying she was never given a chance to defend herself.

She asked court to reinstate on the job and grant her an interim injunction blocking the university from pursuing any further disciplinary action against her. Court ruled in her favour and asked the university to reinstate her pending the disposal of her application.