The removal of Prof. Umar Kakumba from his role as Makerere University’s first deputy vice chancellor has ignited controversy and raised questions about the institution’s administrative processes.
The upheaval became apparent when Prof. Kakumba was suddenly excluded from the university leadership’s WhatsApp group, a move orchestrated by Winston Tumps Ireeta, an associate professor of physics. This unannounced action left university officials bewildered and eager for clarification on the matter.
The situation escalated further when Deputy Registrar Patience Mushengyezi Rubabinda also removed Kakumba from the ‘Mak Senate Members’ group, adding to the confusion and speculation surrounding the abrupt changes.
Adding to the intrigue, a new number, purportedly belonging to Dr. David Luyombya, an associate professor and head of the Department of Records and Archives Management, was added to the WhatsApp group, fueling rumors and conjecture about Kakumba’s replacement.
Efforts to reach Prof. Kakumba for comment have so far been unsuccessful, adding a layer of mystery to the unfolding situation.
While Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the vice chancellor, acknowledged that Kakumba’s contract had ended and described the changes as routine, he stopped short of confirming whether Dr. Luyombya was now acting as deputy vice chancellor, leaving the university community in limbo.
The removal of Prof. Kakumba has broader implications, potentially leaving Makerere University without a deputy vice chancellor as the second position remains vacant. This scenario could place additional burdens on Prof. Nawangwe, consolidating multiple roles upon him and potentially impacting the university’s leadership dynamics.
Moreover, the involvement of Dr. Ireeta in Kakumba’s removal has sparked backlash from the academic staff association, Muasa. Despite Dr. Ireeta’s reputation for hard work and dedication to the university, his dismissal from the Council and subsequent role in Kakumba’s removal have drawn criticism from within the academic community.
