Kyambogo varsity boss leaves office
Dec 02, 2009
THE vice-chancellor of Kyambogo University, Prof. Isaiah Ndiege, has vacated office following a High Court order to allow court proceedings into the case filed against him.
By Francis Kagolo
THE vice-chancellor of Kyambogo University, Prof. Isaiah Ndiege, has vacated office following a High Court order to allow court proceedings into the case filed against him.
When The New Vision visited his office yesterday, it was locked.
In a telephone interview later, Ndiege, a Kenyan who has served the university for 11 months, said he was ignorant of the accusations but he could not contempt court.
“I received the court order this morning. I can’t defy court. I am now at my home in Kampala. I will stay out of office until the case is determined,†Ndiege said.
The deputy registrar of the High Court, Isaac Muwata, issued an order on Monday, forcing Ndiege and the university security officer, Samuel Oryem, to leave their offices pending the outcome of an appeal by three university officials.
The assistant estates officer, Edward Turyomurungendo, deputy transport officer Rogers Barigye and the university senior security officer, Barnabas Rwakibwana, filed a case with the High Court challenging their interrogation and imminent prosecution.
The three were among five people, who the Criminal Investigations Department detectives interrogated about two weeks ago over death threats directed at Ndiege.
“An interim order is hereby issued prohibiting respondents Ndiege and Oryem from continuing to hold public offices because of contempt of court and falsifying evidence that amounts to gross misconduct,†Muwata’s order stated.
Muwata also issued an order restraining the university and its officials from conducting investigations against the three aggrieved officials.
In an interview at his office on Tuesday, Ndiege accused staff at the university of fighting and mudslinging him.
He said his enemies were some of the university workers, who were victims of the changes he introduced when he assumed office earlier this year.
He cited clearing several debts, tarmacking university roads and advancing transparency and accountability in the institution as some of his achievements.
“When I came here as vice-chancellor in January, the university owed over sh26b to the National Social Security Fund. I have paid the debt and we are remaining with only sh7.2b.â€
Because of the success, he said, some staff became envious.
“I have been tough on many employees, including lecturers. This is causing me problems,†he said.
He denied allegations that he is tribalistic, a dictator and that his sh15.1m monthly gross pay was never approved by the university council.
“I have no relatives in Uganda. If you accuse me of tribalism it means I get my people from Kenya and employ them,†he replied.
A group calling itself the concerned staff of Kyambogo University last month petitioned the education ministry over the matter.
“We would like to bring to your attention the mismanagement at Kyambogo University which requires immediate action,†read the November 13 letter.
The letter was addressed to the education state minister and signed by James Lutaya and Adam Batondana on behalf of the group.
They alleged that Ndiege used factions to manage the institution and favoured the Luo.
Ndiege was a chemistry lecturer at Kenyatta University in Kenya before succeeding Prof. Lutalo Bbosa at Kyambogo. The university council, the institution’s chief administrative organ, terminated Bbosa’s contract in 2007.
THE vice-chancellor of Kyambogo University, Prof. Isaiah Ndiege, has vacated office following a High Court order to allow court proceedings into the case filed against him.
When The New Vision visited his office yesterday, it was locked.
In a telephone interview later, Ndiege, a Kenyan who has served the university for 11 months, said he was ignorant of the accusations but he could not contempt court.
“I received the court order this morning. I can’t defy court. I am now at my home in Kampala. I will stay out of office until the case is determined,†Ndiege said.
The deputy registrar of the High Court, Isaac Muwata, issued an order on Monday, forcing Ndiege and the university security officer, Samuel Oryem, to leave their offices pending the outcome of an appeal by three university officials.
The assistant estates officer, Edward Turyomurungendo, deputy transport officer Rogers Barigye and the university senior security officer, Barnabas Rwakibwana, filed a case with the High Court challenging their interrogation and imminent prosecution.
The three were among five people, who the Criminal Investigations Department detectives interrogated about two weeks ago over death threats directed at Ndiege.
“An interim order is hereby issued prohibiting respondents Ndiege and Oryem from continuing to hold public offices because of contempt of court and falsifying evidence that amounts to gross misconduct,†Muwata’s order stated.
Muwata also issued an order restraining the university and its officials from conducting investigations against the three aggrieved officials.
In an interview at his office on Tuesday, Ndiege accused staff at the university of fighting and mudslinging him.
He said his enemies were some of the university workers, who were victims of the changes he introduced when he assumed office earlier this year.
He cited clearing several debts, tarmacking university roads and advancing transparency and accountability in the institution as some of his achievements.
“When I came here as vice-chancellor in January, the university owed over sh26b to the National Social Security Fund. I have paid the debt and we are remaining with only sh7.2b.â€
Because of the success, he said, some staff became envious.
“I have been tough on many employees, including lecturers. This is causing me problems,†he said.
He denied allegations that he is tribalistic, a dictator and that his sh15.1m monthly gross pay was never approved by the university council.
“I have no relatives in Uganda. If you accuse me of tribalism it means I get my people from Kenya and employ them,†he replied.
A group calling itself the concerned staff of Kyambogo University last month petitioned the education ministry over the matter.
“We would like to bring to your attention the mismanagement at Kyambogo University which requires immediate action,†read the November 13 letter.
The letter was addressed to the education state minister and signed by James Lutaya and Adam Batondana on behalf of the group.
They alleged that Ndiege used factions to manage the institution and favoured the Luo.
Ndiege was a chemistry lecturer at Kenyatta University in Kenya before succeeding Prof. Lutalo Bbosa at Kyambogo. The university council, the institution’s chief administrative organ, terminated Bbosa’s contract in 2007.