'Forged minutes' mars Makerere staff tribunal hearing

ACADEMICS

Disciplinary hearings at Makerere University have been put under scrutiny after purported forged minutes were presented as evidence.

The alleged falsification was cited in the case of Dr. John Mushomi, who is battling a four-year suspension over alleged assault of a colleague.

The lecturer in the population studies department was suspended last year on December 11.

His lawyer, Isaac Ssemakadde, on Wednesday submitted that fake minutes had been smuggled as part of prosecution evidence.

Ssemakadde explained that the case had been adjourned thrice this year (February 28, March 7 and March 19) on the premise that no minutes had been forwarded by the appointments board to the staff tribunal at the time.

Justice Patrick Tabaro is the tribunal chairperson.

Other members on the tribunal are Prof. Kakungulu Mayambala, Prof. Ben Twinomugisha, Dr. Phiona Mpanga, Sarah Wegosasa and Edith Kusasira. 

Ssemakadde submitted that the then-appointments board chairperson, Bruce Kabaasa, whose term ended on December 19 last year, was inconsiderate and unfair to many employees.

"It failed to record minutes properly and produce them promptly. The minutes produced today [Wednesday] are grossly defective. They indicate that certain high-ranking members of the university were present, whereas not," he said.

"Dr Mushomi would know Prof. Okello Ogwang, his former DVC, Prof Sarah Kiguli, his representative in senate and Chris Ninsiima, the single representative of persons with disabilities in council. But they were all absent."

Ssemakadde also argued that both Sharifa Muzeki from the public service ministry and Dr. Uzobia Baine attended one sitting, but participated in the board's verdict yet they had only heard partial evidence.

Twinomugisha said the claims, if true, necessitate further scrutiny. "This is something I do not take lightly because it impacts on one's integrity."

The Makerere univerity tribunal is chaired by Justice Patrick Tabaro

Other cases

Perez Arinaitwe is also battling charges of absenteeism and insubordination.

Ssemakadde said Arinaitwe was denied the right to be represented by a lawyer.

He noted that when Arinaitwe (accountant) was transferred from Makerere Institute of Social Research to the office of the bursar, the acting bursar told him to wait for the substantive bursar to assign him.

But Arinaitwe was dumbfounded when the substantive bursar instead accused him of absenteeism and immediately commenced disciplinary action.

Ssemakadde also raised concern that the appointments board suspended both staff without pay, which breaches the law.

He cited the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act and the Makerere University Human Resource manual, which guarantee any person who has appealed to the tribunal of the High Court, continuity of income in terms of half pay while proceedings are continuing.

Both staff, however, have not received any salary for the past nine months.

Prof. Mayambala said the breach necessitates serious consideration. "We cannot be handling appeals while the university is violating the Act."

Justice Tabaro concluded: "We shall interface with the board and explain the need to follow the law."