Former Makerere guild boss in sh920,000 debt
May 11, 2009
FORMER Makerere University guild president Robert Rutaro risks missing his final exams for failure to pay sh920,000 accommodation fees. Sources said Rutaro was shocked when the dean of students, John Ekudu, informed him that he had to pay for the self-con
By Chris Kiwawulo
FORMER Makerere University guild president Robert Rutaro risks missing his final exams for failure to pay sh920,000 accommodation fees. Sources said Rutaro was shocked when the dean of students, John Ekudu, informed him that he had to pay for the self-contained flat on Nkrumah Hall where he resided during his tenure as guild president.
Rutaro, now a fourth-year Law student, has been staying in the flat that Ekudu secured for him last year.
Before he became guild president, Rutaro was staying with his parents in Bweyogerere in Wakiso district.
In a meeting held last Wednesday, the administration failed to agree on whether Rutaro should pay the money or not, sources revealed.
The meeting was attended by Ekudu, the acting vice-chancellor, Lillian Tibatemwa, the university secretary, Sam Akorimo, and the vice-chancellor (finance and administration), Prof. David Bakibinga.
Rutaro said Ekudu had not informed him that he was required to pay for the flat. “I thought I was privileged to stay within the university campus as the guild president.â€
In a letter to Ekudu, Rutaro requested that he be exempted from paying the money given his contribution to the institution.
“My accommodation at campus was inevitable for security purposes, given the high level of sensitivity and delicacy of the position of guild president.â€
Some of the officials the letter was copied to include the university chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, the chairperson of the university council, Matthew Rukikaire and the bursar, Ben Byembazi.
But Ekudu said Rutaro took up the flat instead of the single room that the university pays for.
“There are privileges for a guild president like two trips abroad in a year fully-paid for by the university, and he took them. He also gets allowances and airtime,†he disclosed.
FORMER Makerere University guild president Robert Rutaro risks missing his final exams for failure to pay sh920,000 accommodation fees. Sources said Rutaro was shocked when the dean of students, John Ekudu, informed him that he had to pay for the self-contained flat on Nkrumah Hall where he resided during his tenure as guild president.
Rutaro, now a fourth-year Law student, has been staying in the flat that Ekudu secured for him last year.
Before he became guild president, Rutaro was staying with his parents in Bweyogerere in Wakiso district.
In a meeting held last Wednesday, the administration failed to agree on whether Rutaro should pay the money or not, sources revealed.
The meeting was attended by Ekudu, the acting vice-chancellor, Lillian Tibatemwa, the university secretary, Sam Akorimo, and the vice-chancellor (finance and administration), Prof. David Bakibinga.
Rutaro said Ekudu had not informed him that he was required to pay for the flat. “I thought I was privileged to stay within the university campus as the guild president.â€
In a letter to Ekudu, Rutaro requested that he be exempted from paying the money given his contribution to the institution.
“My accommodation at campus was inevitable for security purposes, given the high level of sensitivity and delicacy of the position of guild president.â€
Some of the officials the letter was copied to include the university chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, the chairperson of the university council, Matthew Rukikaire and the bursar, Ben Byembazi.
But Ekudu said Rutaro took up the flat instead of the single room that the university pays for.
“There are privileges for a guild president like two trips abroad in a year fully-paid for by the university, and he took them. He also gets allowances and airtime,†he disclosed.