Makerere University okays Mbabali's academic papers

The Makerere University Academic Registrar Alfred Masikye has defended the academic credentials of the Bukoto South Parliamentary elect Muyanja  Mbabaali.

Testifying before the Masaka Grade 1 Magistrate, Hope Kyomuhangi on Monday, Masikye stated that the mature age entrance credentials for Mbabaali were genuine.

Court had asked Makerere University authorities and the National Council of Higher Education to testify in the case where Mbabaali opened up defamation charges against Ponsiono Matovu.

Matovu is accused defaming Mbabaali saying that his academic credentials were fake.

Masikye said Mbabaali qualified to enroll for mature age examinations after Senior Four credentials from Mengo SSS where he sat in 1974 under index number U0053/073.

He said Mbabali applied for mature age entrance at Makerere University and passed the examinations on December 23, 2013.

Testifying before a fully packed court, Masikye testified that Mbabaali applied for and passed the two papers with flying colours.

"He passed Paper 1 examination of aptitude scoring 51% and paper 2 of Political Science and Sociology   scoring 70%," he said.

He added that Mbabaali qualified to enroll for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences degree.

Matovu's lawyer Achilles Lubega dismissed   the academic papers and asked court to dismiss the case on grounds that the O'Level papers were not genuine.

He added that the mature age qualification for Mbabaali was not valid since he never enrolled for the degree course and that the mandatory two years had elapsed.

The executive director the National Council for High Education, John Asibo said he wrote a letter clearing Mbabali basing on a Makerere University report which qualified him. The case was adjourned until April 13.

Mbabali lost his 2011 parliamentary seat after the High Court disqualified him on grounds that his academic papers were not genuine.