Makerere University under the voice of the Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has suspended the deputy Academic Registrar Margret Lubega Etuusa after she was charged by the anti-corruption Court with four counts of abuse of office.
Following illegal decisions and procurements made by Mrs. Etuusa during the 67th graduation ceremony at Makerere, a letter was issued to her on 11th January 2018 asking to vacate office with immediate effect by the Vice chancellor Prof. Nawangwe pending a decision from the Anti-corruption Court.
“Having found that the matter you are required to defend yourself against, before court of law tantamounts to a gross misconduct, you are hereby suspended from the Office of the deputy registrar of Makerere University in charge of Certificates, Ceremonies and Publications with immediate effect pending completion of criminal proceedings against you in the above mentioned court under Ref No. C0001-2018,” Prof Nawangwe’s letter states in part.
It is alleged that Ms Etuusa irregularly procured companies and people to provide different services for last year’s graduation ceremony, such as phone keeping, drinks, food and flower vending without following procurement procedures.
However, she denied the allegation and was granted a 1 million cash bail.
It is not the first time since last year that Ms. Etuusa was suspended from office on corruption grounds. The same happened last year in March following an allegation that she had illegally contracted Exxon Contractors, a private company, to keep guests’ electronics during the 67th graduation ceremony.
The company reportedly fleeced parents and graduands under the guise of securing their mobile phones and other gadgets. The company charged Shs3, 000 for each gadget placed under its custody.
Ms. Etuusa is to return to court for another hearing on 8th February 2018.
