KAMPALA — High Court has quashed a decision by Makerere Institute for Social Research (MISR)— ordering the university to pay Yusuf Serunkuma Kajura a PHD student whose education at institute was illegally frustrated.
Serunkuma won the case in which he challenged a decision by Academic Board of MISR headed by Prof. Mahmood Mamdani of appointing Dr. Virgine Tallio to replace Dr. Okello Ogwang as new main supervisor of Serunkuma without the his consent.
Prof . Mamdani equally appointed himself and Dr.Samson Bezabeth as members of Serunkuma doctoral committee, a situation that frustrated the formers’ education at the institute.
In his application, the High Court, Serunkuma stated that he had fallen out with Prof. Mamdani yet MISR boss continued to exercise his influence in the student’s studies including replacing and appointing new supervisors to frustrate Serunkuma studies.
Justice Mugambe added that it is irrational, irregular and unreasonable to force supervision of a PhD student by someone he has fallen out with, or any considered proteges of such person.
She stated that supervision for PhD should be by someone Serunkuma had trust and confidence in and also awarded the latter UGX.25m in general damages for being frustrated to complete his PHD for almost 10 years and costs to the suit.
In her ruling,Justice Mugambe cancelled Prof. Mamdani and replaced Dr. Bazebeth with Prof. Abasi Kiyimba, Serunkuma’s former supervisor who has since returned from sick leave.
Justice Mugambe has also issued an order barring Prof.Mamdani and MISR from involving themselves in the administration, supervision and examination of Serunkuma’s PhD thesis including nomination and appointment of the Applicant’s Doctoral Committee and further ordered the College of Humanities and social Sciences and the Directorate of research and graduate
training to take over all the roles.
She further ordered that Serunkuma’s supervisors be picked from the list of persons presented by him who are demonstrated to have no bias including Prof. Abasi Kiyimba.
Others include Dr. Simba Ssali Kayunga, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, Dr. Suzan Kiguli, (Professor Peter Atekyereza and Prof. (Sr) Dominica Dipio.
Justice Mugambe has since quashed the decision of the examinations,
irregularities and appeals committee of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences irrationally taken on of December 27 2017 arising from his appeal regarding administration, supervision and examination of his PhD thesis.
Evidence before court shows that in 2012, Serunkuma was admitted by Makerere University on a study program leading to an award of PhD in social studies at MISR, its affiliates but on the August 30, 2017, the academic Board of MISR being manipulated by Prof. Mamdani appointed Dr. Virgine Tallio to replace Assoc. Prof. Okello Ogwang as his main supervisor.
