Kampala University Luwero campus owners' row

The police on Wednesday, 3rd May 2012 deployed at Kampala University Luwero campus following a misunderstandings between the owners of the institution which has spread to the students body.

The Luwero District Police Commander Samuel Bamuzibire said they had deployed security at the Katikamu based institution (campus) to observe law and order.

“There are misunderstandings between two key stakeholders; Prof. Badru Kateregga and the Luwero LC5 boss Haji Abdu Naduli which has affected learning at the campus” he said.

“But we shall cause them to meet soon and solve the problem. Meanwhile following as security meeting we have deployed at the campus to forestall any acts of violence” Bamuzibire added.

The deployment follows an alleged attack on the campus accountant one Steven Ssekamate by Naduli and his son Jacana Sulayima on Tuesday morning at the campus. 

Ssekamate who said yesterday that he had recorded a statement at the police was allegedly assaulted from his office. He said the case number is SN 26/01/05/2012 which was recorded at Luwero police station.

Sulayima when contacted for comment denied beating up the campus accountant. “When you see my strong body build and physique if I punched him (accountant) he would be dead” he said.

Kateregga after meeting the campus leaders on Tuesday said he had many options one of them to close the branch if Naduli continues to meddle in the daily running of the campus. 

“The memorandum of understanding is very clear that Naduli as one of the directors has no stake in daily affairs of the campus. Kampala University has the license and should we be constrained further shall close the campus” he threatened.

Sulayima said as a son of one of the directors (Naduli) was free and legally mandated to oversee the activities of the administration of the campus and had not trespassed. Naduli could not be reached for comment since his mobile phone was switched off.

About 2000 students went on strike on Saturday as they complained of poor feeding and sanitation but was later contained by the administrators who blamed it on Naduli and his sons.

The University director of legal affairs John Kabagambe said Kampala University in 2008 made a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the directors of Luwero University Project and allowed them to utilize and develop their 32 acres of land before the University started.

He said the MOU which is meant to be reviewed after five years did not stipulate a token that would be given to the directors by Kampala University. He said they had sunk over sh 1B in especially pulling electricity to the campus and developing water sources.

Kabagambe said they were planning to meet the directors of Luwero University Project. Naduli is one of the directors. Sulayima his son has just completed studies at the same campus.

Naduli’s other six children are studying at the campus and have been blamed of causing the strike which action they have denied.  The University has headquarters at Ggaba in Kampala but has acquired 11 acres of land besides their campus land in Katikamu.

Students interviewed asked the university owners to solve their differences which had affected their academics.