Kyambogo University gets new Vice Chancellor

By Innocent Anguyo and Simon Masaba

Kyambogo University woes seem not to end soon.

In a frantic bid to ensure the university continues operating up to the end of the semester, the Chancellor, Dr. Erick Adriko, has directed the former deputy vice-chancellor, Prof. Fabian Nabugwomu, to take charge as acting Vice Chancellor.

Nabugwomu replaces Prof. John Opuda Asibo who was arrested together with six other members of the university council on the orders of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) on Friday over gross mismanagement of the institution.

The IGG spokesperson, Ali Munila, said Opuda and the other arrested staff were released yesterday on Police bond and will appear before the Anti-Corruption Court tomorrow.

The others arrested were Prof. John Okedi, the university council chairman; Sam Akorimo, the university secretary; Ham Mungyereza, the bursar; Christine Obonyo Kyayonka, the deputy registrar (admissions) and lecturers Wilfred Nahamya and Daniel Ndawula.

The IGG, Justice Irene Mulyagonja, said the seven are jointly charged with abuse of office, conflict of interest and obstruction of directions of the Inspectorate of Government.

The university officials allegedly defied the Inspectorate’s directive to stay all disciplinary proceedings against the suspended Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaiah Omolo Ndiege, a move Mulyagonja said amounted to conflict of interest.

Mulyagonja further noted that, despite existence of claims of mismanagement against Ndiege, probes to ascertain whether he was guilty or not were yet to be concluded.

The university council under the guidance of Okedi unanimously resolved to sack Ndiege on October 31, 2012 and thereafter, the staff demanded that the university appoints a vice-chancellor, who would respect them, marking the rise of Prof. Opuda to acting VC from deputy VC.

Speaking to New Vision, yesterday, the university’s public relations officer, Lawrence Madete, said the arrested officials would be replaced by their respective deputies as the university grapples to ensure that the end of semester exams begin tomorrow as scheduled.

“The Chancellor directed the deputies of the arrested managers to take charge of their respective departments and ensure that the university remains up and running,” Madete said.