What you need to know:
- The joint associations of staff, including Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Makerere Administrative Staff Association (MASA), and Nuei, argue that this suspension undermines fundamental human rights and academic freedoms at the university.
- The Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) was established to foster academic excellence through collaborative efforts, skill enhancement, and the exchange of best practices among Deans of Schools and Directors of teaching institutions, comprising 29 members across the university.
Makerere University staff members are urging Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe to reinstate the Deans’ Forum, which he suspended recently, citing its alleged illegality. The joint associations of staff, including Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Makerere Administrative Staff Association (MASA), and Nuei, argue that this suspension undermines fundamental human rights and academic freedoms at the university.
The Makerere University Deans’ Forum (MUDF) was established to foster academic excellence through collaborative efforts, skill enhancement, and the exchange of best practices among Deans of Schools and Directors of teaching institutions, comprising 29 members across the university.
However, in a letter dated May 29th, Prof Nawangwe instructed the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof Umar Kakumba, to halt the forum’s activities pending clarification on its legality.
This decision has sparked discontent among Makerere University staff members, who are urging Prof. Nawangwe to reverse his decision immediately, arguing that it infringes on academic freedom. They point to recent incidents, including the investigation of a lecturer over a controversial question related to the Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, which they believe tarnishes the university’s reputation.
The staff emphasize the importance of upholding freedom of association and conscience to ensure staff and students can contribute effectively to the university’s mission. They express concern that such actions, even if later revoked, leave lasting effects on self-censorship, impacting productivity.
Furthermore, the staff demand that the Vice Chancellor refrain from actions prejudicial to fundamental human rights and academic freedoms within the Makerere University community. They stress the need for confidence in university management’s commitment to upholding these rights or warn of potential appeals to external human rights protectors.
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