On Saturday 7th October 2019, The Principal of the Makerere University School of Law, Prof Christopher Mbazira resigned from his office.
Prof Mbazira leaves at the height of conflict, where the School of Law is fighting for its autonomy as a constituent college of the university. The university management on the other hand wants it to either be under College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) or College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
Mbazira has been the acting Principal of the Law School since his appointment on June 19, 2017.
In a November 25, 2019 letter to the acting University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda, the University Legal Affairs director Henry Mwebe disclosed that the acting Principal of the School of Law had served for over 15 months, which he argued was in contravention of section 2.6 of the University Human Resources Manual as of 2019.
The letter also communicates the resolutions of the Legal, Rules and Privileges Committee of the University Council held on November 21st 2019.
In the letter, the Council Committee considered and noted that the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) had not yet approved the Law School as a constituent college of Makerere University and that the statute for Management of Constituent Colleges of Makerere University doesn’t apply to the School of Law.
Prof Mbazira in his notice of resignation to the university Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe dated November 29th says he has chosen to step down from office in order not to infringe university policies.
“The resolutions touch on several things including the status of the School as a College. What concerns me personally is the effect that I have served for over fifteen (15) months in an acting position and that is contrary to the Human Resource Manual,” Mbazira wrote.
He adds that having been appointed in 2017, the premise of his occupancy of office was that the university was to conduct a process for a substantive Principal.
“I have diligently acted as such. On receipt of the instrument of appointment, I presumed that management had considered all relevant laws and regulations. It is on the basis of this that I was providing a selfless service until the position is substantively filled,” he argued.
Prof Mbazira says he has had a pleasure serving in the position towards building Makerere.
“This, therefore, is to inform you that I will be stepping down from the position of Acting Principal at the end of this semester in order not to infringe University policies as indicated in the director’s letter.” Prof Mbazira concluded.
