Mak Convocation Asks Police to Investigate Prof. Ddumba, Etuusa

The Makerere University Convocation-MUC is demanding for in-depth investigations into the gross misconduct of abuse office by the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba Ssentamu and the Deputy Academic Registrar in Charge of Certificates and Ceremonies Division, Margaret Etuusa.

 

In a May 31st letter Dr. Tanga Odoi, the MUC Chairperson appeals to the Director for Criminal Investigations and Crime Intelligence, Grace Akullo to investigate the duo for gross misconduct. "We request you to expeditiously look into this matter with the urgency it deserves in order to free the Alma mater from such scandals. You may be aware that such and many other scandals have resulted into the delay of issuance of transcripts, certificates, and other awards to our members especially our alumni that commissioned on the 67th Graduation," Dr. Odoi notes.

 

He accuses Prof. Ddumba of failing to take disciplinary action against Etuusa for her alleged involvement in the graduation scandal because of his personal connections with her. In the letter, Odoi accuses Etuusa of flouting several university policy regulations and laws following her "illegal" business transactions during the 67th graduation ceremony.

 

“Mrs Etuusa, a non-member of the Procurement and Disposal Unit of Makerere University solicited quotations for the procurement of goods, works and services that were is the 64, 65 and 66 graduation ceremonies. This was contrary to the PPDA regulations of 2014 specifically regulation 15 (2), which requires that a procuring entity shall obtain at least three quotations,” reads the letter.

 

 

He also notes that “in preparations for the 67th graduation, Mrs Etuusa forcefully attended the bid opening and evaluation committee meeting contrary to PPDA regulations.  Dr. Odoi also claims that "Mrs Etuusa usurped powers of the Contracts committee and illegally awarded several contracts to service providers such as Exxon contractors, which was in charge of phone custody on graduation day.

 

URN has exclusively learnt that on February 15, Etuusa signed a contract with Milton Egayu to vend flowers during the graduation ceremony after paying Shillings 500,000. URN has also seen a February 15th letter in which, Etuusa contracted Juliet Mirembe from the Economic Policy Research Centre Restaurant to vend food and drinks during the ceremony after paying Shillings Shs.200, 000.

"Permission is hereby granted to you to provide drinks, food vendor services during the graduation week from 21st -24th February 2017. You will be required to pay a registration fee of Shs.200, 000/= (two hundred thousand shillings) for the space," reads Etuusa's letter in part.

 

Odoi notes that; "Despite our observations and our formal plea to University Management, we have not been formally given feedback pertaining the public outcry and the unethical manner in which this public office was abused hence leading to financial loss to the university, government and individuals that were fleeced."

Adding that, "We suspect that this could be because of the close relationship with the perpetrators of this misconduct who include among others Ms Dorothy Kabanda and administrative assistant in the office of Mrs Etuusa. This close relationship is stifling the investigations and smooth actions on this matter.”

 

Odoi notes that Etuua's office is one of the most sensitive offices in the university which deserves a person of repute and integrity. “In consideration of the above criminal allegations against her personality and involvement, we believe that you investigation with pitch more on the personality of Mrs Etuusa's reputation and weight It against the sensitive position she occupies,” Odoi observes.

Odoi's letter comes a few days after the  High Court Civil Division directed Makerere University to reinstate Etuusa in her office following an application she filed challenging her suspension and attempts to take disciplinary actions against her.