Stella Nyanzi seeks sh1b from Makerere University

 

KAMPALA-Former Makerere University researcher Dr. Stella Nyanzi has asked court to award her sh1b over failure to reinstate her in office as per the University Tribunal directives.

 

On Wednesday, Nyanzi through her lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde asked High Court Judge Lydia Mugambe to penalise the university for Contempt of its tribunal directives when it failed to pay her outstanding salary arrears in addition to reinstating her as a researcher fellow.

 

In 2018, Nyanzi sued Makerere University seeking payment of her salary as per the orders of the University Staff and Appeals Tribunal.

 

According to Ssemakadde, Nyanzi was earning sh250m annually through research and that the University would benefit 10% of the grants.

Isaac Ssemakadde (left) Legal lawyer to Dr. Stella Nyanzi (right) in attendance for hearing of her case for dismissal at Makerere University. (Centre) is the Deputy Secretary-general of Forum for Democratic change Herold Kaija at Court of Appeal in Kampala. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)

 

Also last year, the Tribunal chaired by Prof George Omunyokol ruled that Nyanzi's indefinite suspension was illegal and offended Section 63(2) of the Employment Act, 2006, which says that an employee cannot be suspended for more than three weeks or the inquiry period.

 

Court records indicate that Nyanzi was officially dismissed from the university on February 7 this year following her suspension in 2016.

 

Nyanzi who appeared composed before court was seen smiling as his lawyer made her final submission in the matter.

 

On the other hand, the university through its legal officer Hudson Musoke told court that Nyanzi's contract had expired and there was need for her to be reinstatement.

 

When probed by the Judge on when did Nyanzi's contract got expired, he said he did not know being a new university employee.

 

Musoke asked the court to dismiss Nyanzi's case on grounds that it lacks merit.

 

Recently, Makerere University human resource director, Andrew Abuyang conceded that Nyanzi's prolonged suspension was against the university human resource manual but it was beyond their control.

 

The Judge has adjourned the matter until October 16 when she would give her judgment in the matter.

 

The mother of three has been on remand since November last year when she was charged with offensive communication and cyber harassment over her alleged indecent Facebook posts against President Yoweri Museveni and his mother Esteeri Kokundeka.