The Rwandeire Committee looks to be digging deeper into Makerere issues daily. Last week, some of its members met with the students’ fraternity from where MUASA leaders were accused of inciting the students to strike late October last year.
Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu, the MUASA chairman, was accused of paying the students to strike.
“I have evidence that Dr Muhammad Kiggundu bribed students to join their strike, something that sparked off violence,” said Roy Ssemboga, the Makerere guild president.
To this accusation, the MUASA spokes person Dr Deus Muhwezi responded saying it’s very embarrassing for the students to say that they were paid to join the strike.
“The first time when we went on strike, they asked us to help them suspend our strike and we did, but the second time of course they failed. It is very embarrassing for them to say that we incited some students to join our strike,” Dr Kamunyu said.
The students went ahead to ask for punitive measures to be taken against VC Prof Ddumba Ssentamu for misusing the institution’s funds. In relation to this, an allegation was made against him for failing to lease part of the institution’s land in Kabanyolo, Wakiso district, where the investor wanted to plant trees and then pay the university Shs 2billion per six months.
But for his part, the economics professor rubbished the allegation.
“I’m very happy a special audit has been sanctioned at Makerere. Let them come up with a special audit and we shall see the outcome of that audit; whether I’m the one taking the money or there is a problem at Makerere,” said Prof Ddumba.
The students further requested the committee to investigate their welfare and also recommend a punitive action for lecturers who regularly chop classes but shamelessly strike demanding for salaries. They also advised the university management to be creative and look for other ways of generating funds other than relying on tuition.
The probe committee chairperson assured students that a comprehnsive report will soon be out. “We are not going to leave any stone unturned. If we find that there are those who ‘ate’ the money, they will surely bring it back,” Rwendeire promised.
