Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe time in office as a top administrator at the great hill seems to be in the eleventh hour. Prof Nawangwe is currently serving his fifth and final year as the institution’s Head as VC since 1st September, 2017.
Section 31(4) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act stipulates that the Vice Chancellor shall be appointed on terms and conditions determined by the University Council for five years and shall be eligible for re-appointment for one more term.
With months left to his five year tenure, whispers are increasingly becoming louder in Makerere corridors regarding the possibility of Mr Nawangwe retaining his seat.
Whereas procedures allow him to seek another term, age is not on his side; the question arising is whether the age limit can be altered. Nawangwe is currently 65 and will be 66 when the next search exercise takes place next year, shrinking his slim chances for another term.
There’s a lifeline for him regarding age since adjustments have been previously made. During the 2012 search process that saw Prof John Dumba Ssentamu become VC and Prof Venansius Baryamureeba kicked out, the age limit was put between 40-60 years for applicants.
More so, the 2017 VC search process that brought in Prof Nawangwe, the bracket was changed to between 40-65 years.
Another point of discussion is whether Prof Nawangwe’s tenure can automatically be renewed/extended without going through a search process. However much this option may block better potential candidates, it is still a possibility. Prof Nawangwe’s fanatics have all rights to front the idea with a shield of the VC’s stellar performance that deserves rewarding.
Another person might argue that Covid-19 pandemic has eaten into Nawangwe’s time which needs to be compensated with an automatic renewal of his contract. This and many other ploys might be employed by the Nawangwe Camp to perpetuate the revolutionary policies the University has experienced since September 2017.
However, like every coin with two sides, Nawangwe’s pursuit is not any different. The VC has on most times faced scrutiny and harsh judgement from different stakeholders of Makerere University. From lecturers’ strikes to students’ to the non teaching staff and some alumni’s comments; all have been thorns in Nawangwe’s flesh.
“Nawangwe should simply fulfill his dream of presiding over Makerere University centenary (100 years celebrations) under his tenure as VC and leave in peace rather than polarizing the institution,” an anonymous source lamented.
