In November Professor Anthony Mugisha challenged the search process saying he was unfairly and unlawfully denied a chance to compete for the job of Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
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Professor William Bazeyo (C) chats with Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Dr. Sarah Ssali at his office recently
Professor Ezra Suruma, the Chancellor of Makerere University has appointed
Professor William Bazeyo as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor.
This is after Justice Musa Ssekaana of the Civil Division of High Court last
week quashed his appointment to the same office.
In a June 17, 2019 letter, Professor Suruma says Professor Bazeyo, will
continue occupying the office until further notice.
“Following Court’s nullification of
your appointment as the substantive Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance and
Administration), this is to direct you to revert to the position of Acting Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (Finance and Administration) which you were holding previously
until the position is substantively filled or until any further notice,”
Professor Suruma writes in his letter.
In November Professor Anthony Mugisha challenged the search
process saying he was unfairly and unlawfully denied a chance to compete for
the job of Deputy
Vice-Chancellor.
He cited that the search committee while carrying out its
mandate and made a report and recommendations in a biased, illegal and unlawful
manner, thereby side-lining him and in effect producing a sole candidate by the
position.
Court ruled that the committee overstepped its mandate as set out in terms of
reference when they only forwarded one name to the University Senate for
transmission to the University Council.
Court also issued an Order of Mandamus restraining the university, its agents
or persons acting on its behalf to comply with the statutory duty established
under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act and cause the proper
appointment of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance and Administration).
“The process of appointment Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (Finance and Administration) should be transparent, reasonable
and fair to all potential and interested applicants,” Justice Ssekaana
said in his ruling.
Section 32 of the Universities and other tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as
amended provides for the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of
Finance and Administration.
Davidson Ndyabahika
Freelancer