By Our Reporters
Secrets have emerged indicating brewing conflict that could paralyze business of the new Makerere University governing Council Education Minister Janet Museveni recently constituted. The latest chaos relates to who should represent Administrative Staff association (MASA) which is one of the constituencies that comprise Council. Recently, members converged in the Main Hall for elections and in the end the combative Ruth Eyoku Iteu (who works in Senate/AR department) emerged winner with highest votes thumping audit department’s George Turyamureeba (came 3rd) and Euzobia Baine who has been representing MASA in the old Council. Iteu’s supporters claim that the officials in top management don’t like her because of her rebellious approach and the fact that she is naturally anti-authority. To such supporters, it wasn’t surprising when after her victory the Prof Barnabas Nawangwe-led management quickly entertained a petition challenging her election on a number of grounds. MASA members Dorothy Kabanda and Chairman Abigaba are chief petitioners wanting the poll cancelled and fresh one held. Why? They raise procedural issues including challenging the manner in which the electoral body was constituted. They are also arguing that some of the employees who ceased to be in the University service voted. The other argument being raised is that MASA exists and operates as a limited liability company yet the Universities Act doesn’t provide representation for such entities on the Council. Unlike MUASA which is an association, MASA even has a Board of Trustees and Mak Legal Director Henry Mwebe says the petition has merit and should be listened to because it’s alien for a private company to have representation on Council. Ironically the same concerns were raised years ago when Baine had just defeated Burnet Magara to represent MASA on Council but top management kept deaf ear. Magara protested this indifference by going to court where the case has never been finalized so many years later. The way forward apparently will be fresh MASA polls being held but some members (backed by some in top management) are proposing breaking away from the current arrangement and form a proper association to legitimately be represented on Council. Iteu’s supporters claim their group is being marginalized as seen in Magara’s suspension after leading members to challenge Nawangwe and Mwebe’s authority to cause cancellation of MASA elections. Magara was subsequently suspended for disrespecting VC following attempts by his group to forcefully storm the inaugural meeting of the new Council. Sources, who have looked at the day’s CCTV footage, say that Iteu too was on her way to be with the Magaras in storming the Council meeting but failure to find ready parking delayed her. Renowned for her abrasive belligerent approach (Etuusa-like), Iteu was also delayed by security at the main entrance leading to the Council meeting room.
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Yet that isn’t all. A group of Muasa members led by their Chairman Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi have also petitioned new Council Chairperson Lorna Magara challenging Bruce Kabasa and MP Thomas Tayebwa’s membership. The duo who previously represented the government were reelected again this time as representatives of the public along with ex-EALA Speaker Dan Kidega who eventually became Vice Chairperson. In their letters the disgruntled staff impeach the duo’s character by raising many integrity concerns which Tayebwa has protested by threatening to sue for defamation. The new Council Chairperson, however, has demanded for hard evidence before entertaining such petitions emphasizing that her tenure isn’t going to be business as usual. There are also other issues relating to some Muasa members that remain angry their candidates for Council positions lost. For instance a section led by Kamunyu backed CoBAMS’ Janet Nabalika who was floored by Hellen Nambalirwa whom they fought. In their foe Senate, Dr Sarah Ssali, the dean school of gender wasn’t their candidate but got elected as Senate rep to Council. Replacing Dr. Sarah Kiguli and Dr. Umar Kakumba, Sarah Ssali defeated Prof Peter Baguma, Eron Mushengaza and a one Kikooma. Staff members who preferred the losing candidates haven’t easily accepted this new reality seeing Ssali whom they badly wanted out of the Appointments Board along with Bruce Kabasa back. They have associated them with preserving the status quo and old order of pre-Lorna Magara era. For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0703164755.
