Balunywa’s contract as MUBS principal awaits renewal
Apr 29, 2008
WASSWA Balunywa’s contract as head of the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is to be renewed for another five-year term.
By John Eremu and Conan Businge
WASSWA Balunywa’s contract as head of the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is to be renewed for another five-year term.
Education ministry’s permanent secretary Francis Lubanga yesterday said he asked the Education Service Commission to extend Balunywa’s contract.
Last year, the commission halted the recruitment of senior MUBS staff following protests from the school that the ministry had no powers to appoint its employees.
But, Lubanga said Balunywa’s contract, which expires next month, would be renewed in accordance with the law.
“The first contract was granted by the commission following a Cabinet decision and this renewal shall also be handled in accordance with the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act,†Lubanga said.
However, Balunywa said he had not been informed of the pending renewal. “I have to wait for the contract before I can comment.â€
Balunywa, 53, has headed MUBS for the last 10 years. In 2000, he began fighting for autonomy from Makerere University.
Last year, the school declared itself autonomous following a disputed court ruling by former judge, Morris Okumu Wengi.
Balunywa was installed vice-chancellor, but the Cabinet overturned the move. Balunywa, the pioneer of the private-sponsorship scheme at Makerere University, operated without a valid contract from 2003 to August 2007 following conflicts over MUBS status.
In June 2007, the Cabinet decided that MUBS was an affiliate of Makerere University, then Balunywa’s contract was renewed and back-dated to May 2003.
WASSWA Balunywa’s contract as head of the Makerere University Business School (MUBS) is to be renewed for another five-year term.
Education ministry’s permanent secretary Francis Lubanga yesterday said he asked the Education Service Commission to extend Balunywa’s contract.
Last year, the commission halted the recruitment of senior MUBS staff following protests from the school that the ministry had no powers to appoint its employees.
But, Lubanga said Balunywa’s contract, which expires next month, would be renewed in accordance with the law.
“The first contract was granted by the commission following a Cabinet decision and this renewal shall also be handled in accordance with the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act,†Lubanga said.
However, Balunywa said he had not been informed of the pending renewal. “I have to wait for the contract before I can comment.â€
Balunywa, 53, has headed MUBS for the last 10 years. In 2000, he began fighting for autonomy from Makerere University.
Last year, the school declared itself autonomous following a disputed court ruling by former judge, Morris Okumu Wengi.
Balunywa was installed vice-chancellor, but the Cabinet overturned the move. Balunywa, the pioneer of the private-sponsorship scheme at Makerere University, operated without a valid contract from 2003 to August 2007 following conflicts over MUBS status.
In June 2007, the Cabinet decided that MUBS was an affiliate of Makerere University, then Balunywa’s contract was renewed and back-dated to May 2003.