The chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Dr Deus Kamunyu has dragged Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Makerere University Chancellor to court over what he calls wrongful suspension and infringement on his rights.
Through his lawyers Byarugaba and Company Advocates, Dr Kamunyu wants court to declare illegal his suspension from the university as well the decision to bar him from accessing the university’s premises.
Nawangwe suspended Kamunyu on January 17 for allegedly engaging in acts that amount to misconduct including offences under computer misuse.
“You have routinely been advised and engaged to stop your aforesaid misconduct but you have not taken heed, therefore in order to protect the reputation of the university, its activities, personnel and property from your disruptive activities, I hereby suspend you from the university in accordance with section 5.9 (b) of Makerere University human resource manual,” the letter read in parts.
Kamunyu has since contested his suspension and this week, law dons from Makerere University in a jointly signed latter described Kamunyu’s suspension as an affront on academic freedom and freedom of association. They advised that the suspension be lifted.
Now Kamunyu has taken matters to court, seeking general damages and punitive action to be taken against Namwangwe and the university for infringing on his “inherent rights as a citizen of Uganda and as an employee of Makerere University.”
Nawangwe is required to file his defence within 15 days from January 24.
