NAKAWA -The chairman of Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Council, Prof Venasius Baryamureeba, has been asked to step aside for three months as the council finds a way of harmonizing his working relations with the principal, Prof Waswa Balunywa.
The decision was reached at during a heated meeting that lasted about three hours in school’s boardroom. The meeting, which was chaired by Rev Sam Luboga, unanimously agreed to have Prof Baryamureeba step aside.
Sources who attended the meeting but preferred anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on behalf of the Council told this website that when the time to discuss the matter came, Prof Baryamureeba and Prof Balunywa engaged in a blame-game, with each accusing the other of fermenting chaos at the institution that has largely been peaceful.
The council members, who included Veterans Affairs minister Bright Rwamirama and the MUBS Guild President Julius Ntende, is to have expressed concern that the public bickering between the two leaders was eroding public trust in the institution.
The members then resolved to form an investigative committee into the workings of Prof Baryamureeba and Prof Balunywa. From this, it was agreed that the former leaves the position for three months to avoid interfering with the probe.
When contacted shortly after the meeting, Prof Balunywa and Mr Ntende confirmed the council decision.
The MUBS Council sat amid a demonstration by students, who demanded Prof Baryamureeba’s resignation from the position.
Students, who were carrying placards with different inscriptions insulting him, showed up at the boardroom where the meeting was taking place and attempted to force their way to reportedly attack Prof Baryamureeba, whom they accuse of interfering with the work of the principal, Prof Balunywa.
However, they were blocked by police who urged them to calm down, saying their issues were being addressed.
However, the student refused to leave the vicinity of the main hall, claiming they want to hear the outcome of the council meeting.
Immediately after the meeting ended about 2.50pm, Prof Baryamureeba was whisked away by a police pick-up truck as students charged at him.
The students had earlier put placards around his car, urging him to quit.
Prof Baryamureeba and Prof Balunywa last month clashed over the management of the institution.
On May 24, Prof Balunywa wrote a missive to Prof Baryamureba, accusing him of gross interference in the institution’s management.
However, Prof Baryamureba also accused Prof Balunywa of being a “bully” who only cooperates with people who bow to his demands while pushing out those who provide alternative ideas.
He said there is need for a commission of inquiry into his management systems at MUBS so that a report is issued to reveal how poorly he had managed the institution.
