KAMPALA/ARUSHA – Makerere University over the weekend dominated the news agenda after it announced a surprise staff overhaul.
It is not every day that a university can fire as many as 46 academic staff but that’s what happened at the University.
In a letter seen by this website, Makerere sacked 45 senior academic staff including jailed researcher Stella Nyanzi.
According to the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the staff members had either absconded from duty for over five years while others were involved in sexual harassment cases.
PML Daily learnt that the decision was reached at following five consecutive meetings by the University Appointments Board chaired by Bruce Balaba Kabaasa held between November and December this year.
The administration has since received countrywide criticism. Some of the controversial purge victims has also vowed court action.
In other developments, signs of widening cracks among East African Community (EAC) member states have emerged after a heads of state summit was cancelled for the second time in three weeks.
The meeting of the Presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, which was slated for December 27 in Arusha, has been pushed to a later date.
“It is now official. The summit will not take place on December 27,” Mr Christophe Bazivamo, the EAC deputy secretary-general in charge of production and social sectors, told Kenyanms local daily, The Citizen.
He said the date and venue of the twice postponed 20th summit will be communicated to partner states at a later date.
Unconfirmed reports within EAC circles had it that the meeting was likely to be held anytime from February or March next year.
The once smooth sail of the EAC boat has been rocked by resource challenges and deteriorating relations between some member states.
Regional analysts and observers said they were not be surprised by the cancellation, pointing out the widening cracks in the six-nation bloc, including the recent strong exchange between the Burundi and Ugandan leaders over Rwanda.
As we pounder with regional issues, Museveni back home has overhauled the immigration directorate amid corruption claims that had marred the institution.
To restore the directorate, Museveni appointed three high ranking army officers and a lawyer following a report by CMI that recommended to the president necessary change to stop impunity and corruption in Immigration Directorate.
Brig Gowa Kasita was tapped as Director of Immigration and Citizenship while Col Geoffrey Kambare who has been serving as the Director for Intelligence Collection is now the Commissioner of Immigration.
Museveni also appointed Col Johnson Namanya the Commissioner of Citizenship and Passport while Sharon Tem, an Advocate has been picked the new Commissioner of Legal and Inspection Immigration.
President Museveni has promoted and transferred senior army officers in the latest changes announced on Sunday afternoon.
The army has confirmed that Maj Gen Nakibus Lakara has been transferred from Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre (URDCC) to AMISOM as deputy commander operations.
Maj Gen Fred Ociti Tolit has been sent to South Africa from Burundi still as advisor on Defence.
Museveni has also transferred Brig George Etyang from South Africa to National Counter Terrorism Center while
Brig Christopher Bossa has been transferred from college of logistics to commandant Bihanga Training Centre.
Brig Dominic Twesigimwe has been transferred from CIRMIS to Defence Attaché in South Sudan in the new shakeup.
Brig Paul Lokech is shifted from AMISOM to URDCC while Brig Emanuel Kanyesigye former fourth division Commander in Gulu has been sent to Burundi as Defence Attaché.
Brig James Nambale has been transferred from camp commandant to Defence Attaché in Russia while Brig Baguma Bagume has been sniffed from National Defence College in India to CRIMIS.
The president has also moved Brig Metland Bitumbika from Chief of Pensions and Gratuity to Military Advisor at UN Mission.
Col. Senkumba Ssebugwawo was transferred from Land Forces Headquarters to Director Personal while Tolit Bonny Bamwisiki was moved from First Division Headquarters to Commander fourth division in Gulu.
Col Bob Ojiki transferred from Kimaka to Commandant Junior Staff College, Col Michael Kibuye transferred from Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters to Adjutant Comp Commandant while Maj David Watasa has been moved from Military Police to Chief instructor-Junior Command and Staff College.
In more trending news, Lubaga South Member of Parliament Hon. Kato Lubwama on Friday unleashed a flurry of slaps onto his rival after they became embroiled in an argument on television.
Kato Lubwama who was invited to the Koona ne Miles show hosted by Mile Rwamiti at Spark TV lost his temper and slapped music promoter Andrew Bajjo of Bajjo events.
This was after Bajjo mocked Kato for not knowing English yet he is a Member of Parliament.
The duo then exchanged words and raised their voices accusing each other of being ignorant.
Kato then gave Bajjo hot slaps and kicked the studio table before Bajjo fought back.
The duo action has received condemnation from the communications sector regulator UCC and the ICT minister among others parties.
Kato Lubwama is yet to comment on the matter.
