KAMPALA – Makerere University Appointments Board has suspended the chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, for six months for alleged misconduct and inciting of violence.
The suspension of Dr Kamunyu, who is also the Publicity Secretary for the University Convocation (Alumni Association) and a lecturer for Hospitality and Tourism management, had been lifted to pave way for investigations into his case and that of other two staff association leaders who had in January been suspended by the University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, citing misconduct and inciting violence amongst staff in.
And now it has emerged that on Monday, May 13, the Appointments Board met and resolved to suspend Dr Kamunyu for six months without pay.
When contacted on Tuesday, Prof Nawangwe confirmed the suspension. “He was suspended for his personal offences and these were clearly highlighted in his letter of suspension. Those offences are well known to everybody in the University,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
When contacted, Dr Kamunyu confirmed the suspension but stated he ‘does not agree’ with the appointments board decision.
“It is very true I have been suspended, but we are doing everything possible to reverse the decision. We are definitely appealing,” he said.
In March, the university had lifted Dr Kamunyu’s suspension following an agreement between the two sides. “As part of the consent, the suspension of Dr. Muhwezi has been lifted and he shall submit to the internal disciplinary processes before the Appointments Board,” said the Makerere University spokesperson, Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu.
In March, Makerere University Appointments Board directed the reinstatement of two other suspended staff association leaders. The two are Mr Bennet Magara, the chairperson Makerere Administrative Staff Association (MASA) and the association General Secretary, Mr Joseph Kalema.
They had suspended together with Dr Kamunyu. “The Board has noted your application, considered it and agreed to the application. The suspension is hereby lifted. We will now hear you as fully reinstated members of staff of the university,” Ms Jolly Uzamukunda Karabaya, the Appointments Board chairperson, ruled.
