Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Chairman Dr. Deus Kamunyu has threatened to take legal measures against the university Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe whom he accuses of sending threatening documents and messages to him and some other lecturers for putting in the public, “pertinent university issues regarding the running of the institution.”
While speaking to the media at the university guest house, the MUASA chairman revealed that he was so astonished when Prof. Nawangwe wrote a letter to him as a head of the College of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism at the university over issues concerning the Rwendeire report outrage which he raised as a chairman MUASA. He claims that he encountered the said issues in his official capacity as the union chairman even though the Vice Chancellor chose to write to him as an individual threatening to hurt him and take him to the appointment committee.
‘’There are several threats relating to these issues (Rwendeire report) which I have raised from time to time but the Vice Chancellor with no regard to my capacity, wrote to me as a lecturer well aware that I raised the issues as a chairman of MUASA and by isolating me he is intimidating me and I want the association to discus the matter’’, Dr. Kamunyu told the press.
The tough talking MUASA leader has even instructed his lawyers at Byarugaba and Co. Advocates to initiate proceedings on the matter and they have already issued an ultimatum of 14 days to the Vice Chancellor to either apologise or face legal action.This was after the Prof. Nawangwe issued Dr. Kamunyu with a June 12 warning letter for his stance on university management matters including illegal appointments and land grabbing among others.
He also disclosed that he has also received similar complaints from other staff who are also being individually threatened to stop talking adding that they have interpreted the vice-chancellor’s response to the identification of the issues as a legal matter since they are identifying the issues for the progress of the institution and for the responsibility of the management.
In addition, they have decided to go back to their members to consult them on the threatening issues by calling an emergency Association meeting on Thursday 28th June on how to deal with the eminent danger.
‘’We have decided to go back to our members to consult them over the eminent danger and whether a member of management can isolate a member of executive of an association created by law’’, Dr. Kamunyu concluded.
