Prime
IGG probes graft, nepotism at Makerere
Makerere University students ascend to the university main hall. The IGG is investigating the appointment of 15 officials at the institution. FILE PHOTO
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has commenced investigations into allegations of nepotism and corruption among others, at Makerere University following numerous complaints from some staff members.
In a July 19 letter addressed to the Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Director of Ombudsman Affairs at the IG, Mr David Makumbi, contends that the probe is premised on complaints they received.
These include, Mr Makumbi writes, allegations that Mr Bruce Kabasa, the chairperson of the university Appointments Board and top management officials have irregularly handed out jobs to relatives and friends.
On August 5, this newspaper reported the different allegations against top officials at Makerere pointing to fraud, abuse of office, nepotism, corruption, conflict of interest, bribery in recruitment processes, among other things.
The staff under associations including Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa), Makerere Administrative Staff Association (Masa) and the National Union of Educational Institutions made resolutions to the University Council in a letter dated June 5, 2018.
They warned that failure to address the issues raised in their resolutions would “cause unnecessary discord and animosity among staff members, who are in the circumstances already demotivated”.
IG probe
The IG operating under Section 12 of the Inspectorate of Government Act 2002 has since designated Ms Gloria Aleesi Nalule to conduct the probe.
“You are also requested to avail all relevant documentation related to the matter and to avail yourself and any officer under your charge to be interviewed on any matter arising. Your cooperation in this matter will be appreciated,” the letter to Mr Nawangwe reads in part.
Saturday Monitor understands that the investigations will focus on allegations; that while jobs are supposed to be advertised so that the staff members who furthered their qualification get promoted and motivated, university senior officials connive and bring in relatives and friends disguising them as stop gaps.
The complainants are questioning the appointment of 15 officials whom they allege attained top jobs after some top managers influenced their recruitment.
Among the officers whose appointment have been questioned and are to be investigated include the current acting deputy vice chancellor finance and administration Prof William Bazeyo, grants and revenue manager, planning and maintenance administrative assistant labour/industrial relations officer, assistant councillor among others.
In his response on Wednesday, Prof Nawangwe acknowledged receipt of the IGG’s letter on the review of alleged irregular recruitment at the university by appointment board and promised to comply.
“I take note of the contents therein. We will provide all the necessary support to the investigation team. Looking for your cooperation in this matter,” Prof Nawangwe notes in his letter addressed to Mr Makumbi.
The IG’s office is slated to review the staff structure, staff establishment, the appointment of members of the university, personal files of the listed officers, all relevant appointment board’s minutes on appointment of the staff in question, all documents relayed to the filling of positions in the academic registrar’s office and documentation of approved internal adverts and external adverts ran in the media respectively.
What the university says
When contacted for a comment, Prof Nawangwe referred us to the University Secretary, Mr Charles Barugahare, who said they have complied with the IG directives.
“The IGG wrote to us requesting for some information and we wrote back but they never got back to us,” Mr Barugahare said.
Efforts to reach Mr Kabasa were futile since his known phone number was switched off.
A source close to the university who preferred anonymity, told this reporter that the officer who was sent by the IGG has been sighted at several offices in Makerere University.
