By Darius Magara and Taddeo Bwambale

KYAMBOGO – Kyambogo University staff have demanded that the university appoints a vice chancellor who respects them, just a day after the university council sacked Prof Isaiah Ndiege over alleged abuse of office.

Addressing a press conference at the university on Thursday, the vice chairperson of Kyambogo University Senior Academic Staff Association, (KYUSASA), Dr Rev Grace Lubaale expressed the group’s satisfaction with the council’s decision on Ndiege.

She said: “We are happy that council has sacked Ndiege.We ask the university appointments board to replace him with an able leader who is sociable and capable of building team work.”

The association’s chairperson, Jackson Betihamah said the removal of Ndiege from office had encouraged both teaching and non-teaching staff to continue with their work.

The workers had threatened to lay down their tools if Ndiege returned to office from his forced leave.

Betihamah also said the university staff implicated in mismanagement of the university were ready and willing to be investigated.

Council voted on Wednesday to remove Ndiege from office in the public interest, following a report by an Adhoc committee that partly implicated him in mismanagement of the university.

Sources said the university is processing Ndiege’s terminal benefits, while lawyers have been engaged to ensure it is done in accordance with the law.

When contacted about the council’s resolution, Ndiege said: “I have only read about it in the press. Until I get official communication, I cannot comment on the matter,” he stated.

However, sources revealed that Ndiege was planning to challenge the resolution to dismiss him, citing the involvement of council members who had grievances against him.

‘Thorough audit underway’

Education minister Jessica Alupo Thursday summoned the University Council to explain its resolution, among several other management queries.

She said the ministry would not interfere with their resolution, but disclosed that a thorough audit involving the offices of the auditor general, inspector general of government (IGG) and police was underway.

She urged the university officials to ensure that the money paid by students for the library, science and ICT labs is not diverted to other activities.

This follows a meeting the minister held with the students on Monday in which they complained about failure by the university administration to improve facilities at the campus.

On August 30, Kyambogo University was closed for about three weeks after the university council declined to send Ndiege and 11 other university officials on forced leave over alleged abuse of office.

The committee report seen by the New Vision faults Ndiege for usurping the powers of internal accounting officers, by approving all payments above sh1m and signing payment vouchers.

The report also queries Ndiege’s several purchases – including an iPad and TV for office use – outside the stipulated guidelines.