Makerere University has reinstated Senior Library Assistant Jackson Byamukama, who faces allegations of gross misconduct and corruption, even as investigations into his conduct remain ongoing.
The university explained that Byamukama’s legally permitted suspension period had elapsed. Allegations against him include soliciting a Shs5 million bribe to manipulate staff job placements, a matter still under investigation.
On March 27, 2025, the State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Lilly Akello, directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to probe corruption allegations within Makerere University, citing the Byamukama case among others.
While the IGG initiated investigations, progress appears to have slowed.
When contacted about the development, IGG spokesperson Munira Ali said she would follow up and had not yet obtained information at the time of publication.
However, Professor Winston Tumps Ireeta, acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, who is leading the internal probe, said the reinstatement was in line with the Employment Act, which limits the duration of interdiction.
“The fact that he has returned does not mean he is cleared. Investigations are still ongoing, but we are complying with the Employment Act,” Prof Ireeta said, noting that report writing is now underway.
The case reportedly involves recorded evidence, currently under expert review for authentication. “You can bring in evidence and somebody says no, ‘So what?’ You continue investigating… go to service providers and get authentication,” he explained.
Byamukama officially resumed work on Monday.
The decision comes even as the government is cracking down on corruption related to recruitment in public agencies with former Makerere University Business School principal Waswa Balunywa among those charged.
On Sunday, the CID raided the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority in Entebbe and MUBS, arresting several staff over corruption and recruitment mess.
While some staff at Makerere expressed concern that Byamukama's return could interfere with the probe, Prof Ireeta said the risk is minimal since all interviews have been completed and the investigation is now focused on compiling the final report.
Earlier this year, in July, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe blocked a meeting organized by the Makerere Joint Staff Association to discuss alleged corruption in appointments.
The association, which includes leaders from the Makerere University Academic Staff Association, the National Union of Education Institutions, and the Administrative Staff, had written to Council Chairperson Lorna Magara, claiming that some Council and Appointments Board members were soliciting bribes from staff applicants.
In the complaint, the staff alleged they possessed an audio recording in which Byamukama solicits Shs5 million to “seduce” the Chief Human Resource Officer into approving staff salary upgrades from scale M15 to PU62, irrespective of qualifications.
“In the solicitation, Mr. Byamukama emphasizes that urgently paying the 5 million in full is more important than the staff’s qualifications,” the letter stated.
The association also accused Prof. Nawangwe of benefiting from irregular promotions, highlighting his 2013 elevation to professor and subsequent appointments as vice chancellor in 2017 and 2022, despite allegedly not meeting the required scholarly criteria.
Additionally, staff criticized what they called a disregard for the university’s Human Resource Manual, which prohibits appointing staff in acting capacities beyond 12 months.
Some top officials, they claimed, have held acting positions for over three years.
In response, Prof Nawangwe instructed the University Chief Security Officer to block the meeting, arguing that the Makerere Joint Staff Association is not recognized by management and that the issues it raised fall outside the mandate of staff associations.