University tribunal acquits MUASA boss Kamunyu

The university tribunal has acquitted Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) boss Dr Deus Kamunyu of charges of indiscipline, saying he was charged in bad faith.

In a decision of the Makerere University Staff Tribunal dated October 14, 2020, the Makerere University Appointments Board was faulted for condemning Kamunyu without adequately outlining his alleged sins.

The decision was prompted by an appeal filed by the MUASA supremo after the appointments board suspended him for six months. His ban ended in November last year.

Kamunyu is a lecturer in the Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The appointments board sanctioned Kamunyu for ‘Non-adherence to any other university policies contrary to section 5.7(22) of the Makerere University Resource Manual'.

It was alleged that on December 20, 2018, Kamunyu engaged in an altercation with security officers at the Vice Chancellor's office during the University Council inauguration.

In his appeal, Kamunyu argued that the appointments board erred in law and fact in convicting him on a charge whose nature was ambiguous and unsustainable in law.

The tribunal agreed, noting that the appointments board drew a conclusion without hearing his side of the story.

"Thus any decision that flouts the principles of natural justice is null and void. Having found that the right to a fair hearing was violated, the Tribunal hereby sets aside the decision of the Board that the appellant was guilty of the offence in Count IV," the tribunal ruled.

The tribunal was composed of Prof. Ben Twinomugisha, Edith Kusasira, George Turyamureeba, Dr Phiona Mpanga, and Sarah Wegosasa.