Makerere University Staff Associations have raised concerns about the current composition of the University’s senate claiming there are some irregularities.
According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended 2006, the University Senate is an organ responsible for the organization, control, and direction of the academic matters of the University, and as such the Senate shall be in charge of the teaching, research and the general standards of education and research and their assessment in the University.
Article 42 (1) (f) of the same act that describes the functions and powers of the Senate says that; “the senate decides which persons have reached the standard of proficiency and are fit for the award of any degree, diploma, certificate or other awards of the University.”
But, in a letter dated 8th January 2023 that URN has seen, the University’s Joint Staff Associations, which includes Makerere University Academic Staff Association- MUASA, Makerere Academic Staff Association-MASA, and the National Union of Education Institutions- NUEI said that they have identified irregularities in the composition of Makerere University Senate.They believe these irregularities may have legal consequences for the university.
“Section 44. (2) of the universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended 2006, specifies senate membership compositions as follows, (2) the Senate shall consist of the following; (a) the Vice Chancellor, (b) the Deputy Vice Chancellors; (c) Deans and Directors of facilities or schools as may be established with in the University. (d) two representatives of the Principal Constituent Colleges, schools, or institutes.”
“We notice that whereas as highlighted above the law is very specific on the membership of the senate, in practice, Makerere University has been breaking the law by including all principals of colleges in the senate,” reads part of the letter.
It is against this background that the staff requested that Professor Barnabas Nawangwe officially state that he has been leading an illegally constituted senate for years, potentially rendering its decisions unlawful or void.
Additionally, the staff recommended that the Vice Chancellor guides the college principals in choosing their two senate members from Makerere University and that they should stop attending senate meetings going forward.
When contacted for a response, Nawangwe said that while he agrees that the Associations are raising a genuine concern, it is the same law that says that the council may appoint any other persons for the better running of matters of the senate, and it is on that basis that council resolved to have all college Presidents in the senate.
Nawangwe however said that he is yet to respond to the Staff Association letter, saying that he is awaiting legal guidance on the matter.
URN.