Nawangwe blocks Makerere staff nominees on tribunal

Kampala- Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has blocked the swearing in of two staff representatives to the university tribunal that hears cases of indiscipline and determines the fate of the alleged errant workers.

His action has provoked an angry reaction from Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa), who nominated the two representatives. Two days after the term of Dr Rose Nakayi and Prof Muhammad Ntale expired on June 18, Muasa nominated Ass Prof Ronald Kakungulu-Mayambala and Dr Phionah Mpanga, both from School of Law, to represent the academic staff for four years.

“The General Assembly decided to send to the tribunal people with a legal background; Dr Mayambala and Dr Mpanga who were overwhelmingly voted. The Vice Chancellor said he will not accept the nominees because he had received a petition against the names.

“As Muasa, we would expect the petition to have come to us to stop the swearing in. The Vice Chancellor has refused to share the contents of the petition. He wants to frustrate the beginning of the tribunal so that those staff who were suspended and dismissed continue suffering,” Dr Edward Mwavu, the Muasa acting chairperson, alleged.

Muasa’s frustration
“The staff were aggrieved by management’s decision. The staff are frustrated as management is achieving their objectives. We need to follow the law. We need to understand where the Vice Chancellor stops. We can’t afford quarreling with the Vice Chancellor all the time. The tribunal is not addressing the situation and justice delayed is justice denied,” Dr Mwavu said.

In January, Prof Nawangwe dismissed more than 45 staff, among them Muasa chairperson Dr Deus Kamunyu, for various reasons including absconding from duty, insubordination and computer misuse.

However, Dr Kamunyu’s suspension for six months on half pay after recommendations of the University Appointments Board, sparked a strike in January as the teaching staff declined to report for the second semester. They demanded that Prof Nawangwe withdraws Dr Kamunyu’s suspension, but he maintained his stance.

Prof Nawangwe instead instituted a committee to investigate Dr Kamunyu’s activities.
However, the University Council chaired by Ms Lorna Magara stopped the investigations saying Prof Nawangwe did not have powers to probe a case he had interest in.

The suspended staff appealed to Makerere University Staff Tribunal. However, the tribunal has not heard more than 30 cases for more than six months.

This is because it is not fully constituted after the term of two of its members representing staff expired and have not been replaced.

Dr Mwavu told Daily Monitor yesterday that when they nominated names of their new representatives to the tribunal, Prof Nawangwe blocked their swearing-in.

Prof Nawangwe yesterday confirmed he had stopped the swearing-in of the new staff representatives on the tribunal because he had received a petition challenging their nomination. He said Muasa can only proceed after the university legal team advises him so.
Muasa has accused Prof Nawangwe of frustrating the aggrieved staff who are seeking justice from the tribunal.

The university reopened for second semester on condition that the staff suspend their strike to allow the university council resolve the matter.

In May, Muasa General Assembly resolved that they would not return to work in August unless the Kamunyu issue is settled.
The staff later agreed to suspend their industrial action for two extra months to allow the tribunal hear Dr Kamunyu’s appeal.

The university administration accused Dr Muhwezi in January of taking part in an illegal strike, use of abusive language, acts or omissions that are prejudicial to the proper performance of duties or the university’s image, non-adherence to any other university policies and slander.

Justice Patrick Tabaaro will head the tribunal.

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