Kyambogo yet to receive court verdict on VC Ndiege

By Innocent Anguyo

Kyambogo University is yet to receive a copy of the court ruling stating that Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaiah Omolo Ndiege resumes his duties at Uganda’s second biggest public university.

Nakawa High Court in Kampala on Monday ruled that Prof. Ndiege should return to Kyambogo University.

Justice Wilson Masalu Musene in his ruling quashed an earlier decision reached by Kyambogo University Council recommending the dismissal of Prof. Ndiege.

However, Kyambogo University spokesperson, Lawrence Madette said he had not seen a copy of the ruling and would not make any pronouncements over the matter.

“Even the University lawyers have not got a copy of such a ruling,” said Madette. Ndiege, a Kenyan, became vice-chancellor in 2008 after the termination of Prof. Lutalo Bbosa’s contract.

Around August last year, Kyambogo University staff laid down their tools vowing to resume duty on condition that the University Council, the institution’s supreme decision making body sacked Prof. Ndiege.

The lecturers accused Prof. Ndiege of mismanaging the university, failing to respect the governing council and staff as well as failure to effectively run the institution.

Thereafter, the University Council closed the institution subsequently instituting a committee to investigate the vice-chancellor, Isaiah Omolo Ndiege and his colleagues over the accusations brought to the fore by the staff.

In September, the University Council ordered Ndiege and 11 other top officials be sent on leave to give room for fair and free investigations.

Thereafter, Council opened the University after the staff resolved to resume work. Prof. John Opuda-Asibo was made acting Vice Chancellor.

Parliament then ordered the entire University management to be investigated by the office of the IGG, Auditor General and Directorate of  Criminal Investigation.

The IGG later asked Kyambogo to halt investigations against Ndiege and not interfere with the Directorate’s investigations.

Ndiege then took his grievances to Court in October 2012, challenging the decision taken against him by the university. He applied to Nakawa High Court seeking an interim order to stop his removal from office by Kyambogo University, pending the hearing and disposal of a judicial review.

In July this year, the Nakawa High Court rejected the recommendation to remove Ndiege from office, pending a judicial review he filed challenging his suspension.

Nakawa High Court deputy registrar Gladys Nakibuule issued an interim order barring the university appointments board and chancellor from effecting Prof. Ndiege’s removal, saying the decision would be illegal.

When Kyambogo University Council members insisted on investigating Ndiege, the IGG ordered their arrest in May this year.

Senior university officials were arrested and charged with abuse of office, conflict of interest and obstruction of directions of the Inspectorate of Government.

On Monday, Musene told court that Council’s reason for removing Ndiege from office and sending him on forced leave was premature since investigations into the alleged mismanagement of the University were incomplete.

He ruled that the applicant (Ndiege) was not given a fair hearing which is against the principles of natural justice as provided under the constitution.