The Kyambogo Vice Chancellor race seems to have gone to the wire. The two gentlemen tussling it out are Kyambogo University’s acting VC Prof. Eli Katunguka and Makerere University Business School deputy principal prof. Geoffrey Bekunda.
The two were the only eligible candidates from a shortlist of 5, the other three dropped from the race are: faculty of Science ex Dean Prof. Aron Wanyama, faculty of science Dean Prof. George Byaruhanga, and Prof. Charles Twesige.
In a tense closed-door meeting spanning over 6 hours held on Tuesday by the senate; the University’s highest decision-making body. A source disclosed that the committee had failed to find a suitable third candidate and it considered advertising to the public as required by law; The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001.
The search committee, identifies candidates and forwards their names to the Senate which nominates 3 for recommendation by the University Council; the top Most decision body. The Chancellor then appoints the VC.
Kyambogo University VC woes begun in 2012 with the suspension of prof. Isaiah Ndiege and Prof. Fabian Nabugomu. There hasn’t been a substantive VC at Kyambogo, only a few people in acting positionsl like Dr. John Apuda-Asibo.
The Chair person of the search Committee; Prof. Patrick Mangheni reiterated on the stand of the committee after a few members stormed out of the meeting when Prof. Katunguka didn’t make the cut.
“People must have qualifications. It’s the students suffering. Sending the issue to court will heighten the conflict. ” he said.
The position of VC requires one to be a Professor or Associate Professor with 10 year experience in top management as Dean or Head of Department. One’s required to have publications( research, Books, monographs or in peer reviewed journals) and be no more than 60 years old.
The Kyambogo University Council however increased the age limit to 65 years which appears contravenes the demands of the Employment Act which require a salary beneficiary from a Consolidated account to be no more than 60 years.
