The politics of and for the position of vice chancellor Makerere which is expected to be voted for later this year has already started to play.
A row has erupted at Makerere University between the vice chancellor Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu and his deputy for finance and administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
In a January 30th letter to Nawangwe, Prof Ddumba-Ssentamu accuses his deputy of financial mismanagement, disrespect, and insubordination, among other things.
Ddumba-Ssentamu says Nawangwe has in the past written several letters that ridicule and demean the person of the vice chancellor. His letter was copied to members of management and the university council chairman, Dr Charles Wana-Etyem.
“On a number of occasions you have made derogatory verbal utterances and disparagingly shouted at me in management meetings. This exhibits gross misconduct and disrespect on your part. Indeed your actions have caused enormous humiliation to me. Owing to your incessant disrespect, I’m left with no option but to write this letter of caution. I sincerely hope that you will reflect and change this behavior,” the letter says.
In the same letter, Prof Ddumba accuses Nawangwe of mismanagement of money, especially donations for development projects, payment of police officers who are not employees of the university, and mismanagement of the payroll, including paying former staff (ghost workers).
The letter also questions Nawangwe’s decision to recommend an increase in the allowances of Jackson Mucunguzi, the University Police OC and chief security officer, from Shs 750,000 to Shs 2,353,343, an increment of 212%.
“I wish to state that the chief security officer and officer in charge do not fall in the structure of Makerere University.”
Three days after receiving the letter, Nawangwe wrote back, a sore rebuttal addressed to University Council chairman Wana-Etyem. Nawangwe described Ddumba-Ssentamu’s letter as defamatory.
He says the serious allegations are aimed at tarnishing his reputation in the eyes of council and management. He explains that according to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, he, as the deputy vice chancellor, is only answerable to the University Council, not the VC.
He quotes article 32(4) of the Act that says, “The second deputy vice chancellor (F&A) shall (a) Assist the vice chancellor in the performance of his or her functions and in that regard shall oversee the finances and the administration of the university. (b)Perform such other functions that may be delegated to him/her by the vice chancellor or assigned by the university council.
“Thus the law clearly states that the deputy vice chancellor is responsible to council, and not the vice chancellor,” Nawangwe says. He accusses the vice chancellor of spreading hearsay and failing to understand the relevant law.
This duel comes in the midst of an ongoing audit of university expenditure by the Rwendeire led Visitation Committee and a few months away from fresh selection of the vice chancellor where both Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu and Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe are expected to compete for the highest position at the Ivory Tower.
Voting is by the university council where among others, the Chief Security Officer Jackson
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