MBARARA – The bickering and stalemate at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has persisted and taken on afresh twist.
The latest news from the college reveals that the University staff, under their umbrella union; Mbarara University of Science and Technology Academic Staff Association (MUSTASA) has replaced the Chairperson accusing him of incompetence.
According to an open letter dated June 28, 2019, that was addressed to all the University staff and signed by the General Secretary, Julius Taremwa indicates that Dr. John Emenyu who has been the Chairperson of MUSTASA has been replaced by his deputy, Simon Kawuma.
In the letter, they allege that Mr Emenyu has failed to execute his duties as is required of him.
This comes at the time when Mbarara University is embroiled in serious conflicts that involve staff and top management where the latter accuses the former of maladministration and mismanagement of University funds.
The united staff also recommended that the Vice Chancellor Prof. Obua Celestine and the University Secretary should step aside and be investigated; however, this resolution seems to have hit a snag.
Last week, they reactivated their industrial action arguing that the University Council has failed to fulfil their demands. After realizing that things are not moving on as planned they resorted to in-fighting turned swords against their own, Chairperson Dr. Emenyu.
“It was observed that on June 26, Emenyu refused to sign on behalf of MUSTASA the resolutions of the joint emergency general meeting for MUST staffs held on June, 24 on June 26, Emenyu refused to sign the resolutions of the joint consultative meeting of MUSTASA and NUEI which he convened and chaired” the statement reads in part.
The letter further states that the above actions are in violation of the MUSTASA Constitution of 1994, article V (i) which states that the Chairman shall be responsible for the overall administration and welfare of the association particularly in promoting the interests of the members and the good name of the association.
“Based on the above cases and in protection of interest of MUSTASA, the meeting resolved that the Deputy Chairman shall assume the roles of the Chairperson in accordance with MUSTASA Constitution and all MUSTASA correspondences shall be handled by the Deputy Chairperson and General Secretary.” reads an excerpt from the letter.
Mr Julius Taremwa, the Secretary-General confirmed this development saying that Mr Emenyu has been failing all the attempts by the association to have their resolutions implemented.
When Mr. Emenyu was contacted for a remark, he hesitated to comment on the matter but reluctantly said that “Whatever they are doing and alleging those are their views.”
