The High Court in Kampala has ordered Makerere University to immediately reinstate the University Secretary, Dr Charles Barugahare who was suspended by Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe over the graduation gowns scandal that happened in January.
Court also blocked the appointment of Mr Yusuf Kiranda, Dr Barugahare’s deputy, as the interim university secretary until the case is finalised
“An order of injunction doth issue retraining the respondents from continuing to impose disciplinary measures and/or forcing the applicant on compulsory leave as threatening in the second respondent’s letter dated June 29 removing him from his job and duties of the university secretary or the 3rd respondent assuming those duties until disposal of the main application for judicial review,” the court order reads in part.
The vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, sent Dr Barugahare on a three-month forced leave on June 29. He had returned from a one-year study leave and was expected to resume his duties on July 1 .
On June 30, Dr Barugahare filed a suit against the university and Prof Nawangwe saying they aimed at taking his office away from him without a fair hearing.
Dr Barugahare said the university wrote to the Secretary to the Treasury to strip him of his role as accounting officer of the university. He said the Secretary to the Treasury subsequently removed him as accounting officer and appointed Mr Kiranda to take his job.
