Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba has been asked to step aside for three months by the Makerere University Business School council, which has him as Chairman. This is to facilitate investigations into his biased working relationship with Prof Wasswa Balunywa, the school principal. It was agreed upon during a council meeting that sat yesterday in the University’s boardroom and was attended by all 24 council members and was chaired by the Rev Sam Luboga who is the chairperson appointments board at MUBS.
It was confirmed by the MUBS principal Prof.Balunywa who said that the meeting unanimously agreed to have Prof. Baryamureeba step aside owing to his recent conduct as regards the affairs of the institution. A trusted source that participated in the meeting but preferred anonymity said both professors went on the offensive against each other yelling back and forth and accusing the other of trying to sideline the other from the university. This went on until the members prevailed upon Prof. Baryamureeba to step aside and he was asked to leave the room. He however remained holed up in the Main Building for the better part of the day for fear of riotous students who had threatened to lynch him if he did not to step down. The students accused him of witch-hunting their principal, and undermining progressive ideas regarding the school’s development and wanted him fired immediately. Police escorts had to be called in for fear of violence towards the troubled Professor. On arrival, he was whisked away under heavy security guard as students tried to charge at him.
Commenting about this matter, Mr.Ntende Julius, The Guild President, who also attended the closed door meeting said the students had a right to put their opinion across, and that as their representative, he had been keen to see a solution arrived at by the council.
“I sat in the meeting and made sure that the voices of the students are heard. The council has responded and we hope that positive change will soon come to this university,” Mr Ntende said. Others that attended included Defence and Veterans Affairs minister Bright Rwamirama, Dr. Isaac Ngobya, and Dr. Shifra Lukwago among others.
