Jinja – Uganda: Former Kigulu South MP, Edward Kafufu Balidawa and former BUgabula South MP Asuman Kiyingi want Makerere Univeristy Business School principal’s contract to be renewed.
Prof. Wasswa Balunywa, the two legislators argue, should only leave the post if he is being appointed to a much higher position.
Sharing their views in a WhatsApp group Busoga Beyond politics, formed with a membership of mainly Busoga political and private sector elite, the legislators threatened that should the Good Ol’ Prof get anything less, they will actively lead an anti NRM campaign in Busoga.
Former Works Minister Asuman Kiyingi threw a barb at President Museveni arguing that government owes an explanation to Busoga as to why Balunywa’s contract cannot be renewed.
“If a politician can do a good job beyond 75 but a professor full of energy and ideas is ‘expired’ on clocking 60 then Trump is [sometimes] right about African countries,” he said.
Eng Patrick Batumbya’s earlier suggestion of sending a delegation of Basoga stakeholders to meet the president over matter hit a snug when all members on the forum agreed a negative political mobilization response is the language the ministry would hear.
“We should mobilize the populace to boycott voting in the forthcoming referendum. Period,” said another member before the former Kigulu MP, Edward Balidawa added that, “and for such an action to have effect and results we must not rely on the usual leaders. We know the modus operandi.”
“I think we are over allowing this man to control us, we need to start thinking outside the box and practice what we say,” said Tucker Mugogo a popular events’ organizer in Busoga.
The discussion on Balunywa’s status at the business school started after the April 11th letter to the Education Services Commission in which the First Lady and minister for Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni ordered for Balunywa’s exit.
Mr Balunywa has been at the helm of the university for 15 years.
Quoting Section 83 of the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001, Mrs. Museveni asked the Education Service Commission to advertise for the post of MUBS principal before May 28, 2018 when Balunywa’s term ends.
“The purpose of this letter is therefore to inform you that the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports will make a formal submission on the job specifications, duties and age requirement for the post of MUBS Principal,” Ms Museveni wrote. It’s the paragraph the Busoga enthusiasts interpreted as a cul de sac for Prof Balunywa’s tour of duty at the institution.
She asked the Permanent Secretary to come with the nomination of a suitable candidate to be screened by the Education Services Commission. Janet Museveni said that Balunywa must be replaced before May 28 2018 to avoid a power vacuum at the highly ranking institution.
“Advertise this post of Principal of MUBS as soon as you receive a formal submission from the Permanent Secretary. I request you to ensure that the education service Commission finalizes the process of appointment of the next Principal of MUBS before the contract of the current Principle expires, to avoid a leadership vacuum at MUBS.”
