Following the indefinite suspension of a student at Makerere University over ‘illegal’ demonstration, the insitution’s Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has been dragged to the East African Court over the decision.
In a suit filed by Lawyer Male Mabirizi – the plaintiff, he contends that Prof Nawangwe’s decision to suspend the student without fair hearing was a contravention to article 42 of the Uganda Constitution which directs on fair treatment of persons appearing before administrative official or body.
Mabirizi demands that the court quashes Nawangwe’s decision and award the affected parties, including the plaintiff himself over “disturbance and anguish” caused.
In that effect, the court has given a 45-day ultimatum Uganda’s attorney general who stands as the respondent in this case, to respond with a defence.
The suspended student is Mr Adonia Kiiza, a student from the College of Education and External Studies who, together with other students namely Reagan Mulambago, and Beston Mutambi were shown the suspension door.
However, Mutambi’s suspension has since been lifted, whereas the other two students have been permitted to sit their final exams as their cases are being processed.
In his letter earlier, Prof Nawangwe stated that the actions by the students were in breach of the university students’ regulation and therefore, a threat to safety and security of members of the university and its property.
The student’s suspension followed heavy demand from Government sponsored students over delayed allowances that are meant to cater for feeding and welfare, among other issues.
