Makerere University lecturer, Dr. Swizen Kyomuhendo, has denied allegations of sexually exploiting female students as indicated in media last month.
A lecturer at Social Works and Social Administration (SWASA), Dr Kyomuhendo was suspended last week on allegations of Sexual Harassment after a story ran on NBS Television on the night of February 26, 2018 where he was purportedly courting his female student in exchange for marks.
In a statement of defence that the university asked him to prepare, the lecturer denied the allegations noting that the girl in question was just academically weak.
“I categorically deny any allegations tantamount to sexual harassment. There were no marks to be issued for sex as alleged by NBS Television. She (the student) was never awarded 49% or 4% at any time. Besides, I do not see myself engaged in any audible conversation with the character for most of this footage,” Dr. Kyomuhendo states.
Dr. Kyomuhendo further implies or seems to imply that he was a victim of witch hunt in the allegation that portrayed him as taking advantage of his students.
“The motives are only known to those who spent their energy and resources to manufacture this deceptive movie.”
The lecturer however, acknowledges having taught the girl in question and portrays her to have been academically weak having failed and repeated his course unit along with five other retakes in courses taught by other staff.
“She had sat the last of my courses in February 2017, passed with 50% and her marks submitted to the School of Social Sciences for entry,” Dr. Kyomuhendo states.
He then reveals that during December 2017, the student made several attempts to see him.
“I always insisted that the meetings should take place at my University office. This can be proven from the alleged telephone conversation that the investigators of the media recorded.”
Dr. Kyomuhendo says that as much as the student is heard in the recorded investigative report insisting to meet him outside the University, he maintained his stand noting that they met as per the first segment of the video clip at office.
“She complained of missing marks I had long submitted. I explained to her that cases of missing marks on the online platform were a general problem affecting hundreds of other students due to system challenges along the chain of submission, approval and entry. I advised her to wait but also keep checking online,” Dr. Kyomuhendo says.
Though not indicated in the television footage, the lecturer says that the student had presented herself as an agent of a large solar company and had been suggesting that he purchases some of her products.
“She had told me that, on appointment, she would come along, or send the other technical and sales people in the business since I had expressed interest in buying the products she alleged to sell,” Dr. Kyomuhendo says.
He explains that from the conversation that ensued at the office, the student kept on insisting to meet him at a place outside the University, for the sake of company colleagues.
“It is on the basis of this that I directed the student to my private business place where I usually sit in silence, sometimes spend several days doing my work. I was gullible, and was made to believe that she would direct her business colleagues,” Dr. Kyomuhendo states.
But after several calls by the student and purported colleagues in the solar company, the student turned up alone.
“Her statements were scattered; she appeared tensed up and repeated her request to be helped with her marks. At this point, I felt unduly disturbed and took time to offer counseling. The audiovisual clip by NBS Television clearly reveals how I explained to the student that I would never take advantage of anyone and advised her to never be taken advantage of. She apologised and left.”
The lecturer further explains that on the next working day following this incident, he talked to the Dean, School of Social Sciences, who, on crosschecking on his own computer confirmed that the student’s marks had been received months back and was part of the backlog cases pending entry online at the central office in Senate building.
The Dean offered to personally join his Secretariat to expedite entry of missing marks.
“I loudly complained to my Dean and also alerted staff colleagues about the anxiety institutional delays were causing. I particularly narrated the intrusive behaviour of this student. I saw no merit in formally reporting a student who appeared restless, unkempt and deeply worried about her graduation. She had done retakes in seven other courses over five years for a three year programme,” Dr. Kyomuhendo reveals.
“I deeply regret the fact that I was duped into a ploy to discredit my credibility and for such an error of judgment I am sincerely apologetic and remorseful,” he added.
However, Dr. Kyomuhendo believes he should have been more careful to avert such unfortunate events. “I am deeply hurt by the NBS story. My family, entire community and, doubtless, the University have suffered heavy damage too.”
He now wants the University Management to take time to understand the changing dynamics among sections of the student population, and the politics and economics of the media.
