Head of Mak-Kabanyolo Research Institute Resigns, 13 Sacked

Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa, the head of Makerere University Research Institute at Kabanyolo –MUARIK has resigned, URN has learnt.  Prof. Tukamuhabwa tendered in his resignation sometime last month and was accepted by the university appointments board at its 603rd meeting early this month.    

He is known for his age cutting research in genetics of resistance to soybean rust disease and development of varieties that are resistant to soybean rust and groundnut leaf miners. Professor Tukamuhabwa is among the three staff that have resigned. Others are Christine Zake, a senior copy typist in the physics department and Isaac Obuli Egessa from the College of Agricultural Sciences –CAES.  

The appointments board however rejected the resignation of Dr. Lynnette Kyokunda Tumwine, the former head of the Pathology department. The university has accepted the early retirement of Professor Paul Waako, a Pharmacology and therapeutics expert from the College of Health Sciences. Professor Waako is the new Vice Chancellor of Busitema University replacing Prof. Mary Okwakol, who joined the National Council for Higher Education –NCHE as its director.    

Makerere University has also sacked 13 staff after the appointments board rejected their applications to renew their contracts.  These include Catherine Mutekanga Kabagambe, David Migaragambe and Edward Kawooya, all assistant accountants in the university finance department, Jane Nambozo Ochan and Violet Mable Turyamubona, both administrative secretaries in the Directorate of Human Resources and Pastor Grace Kityo, an Administrative Assistant in the department of Estates and Works.  

Others are Jacob Nansinguza, an assistant medical illustrator trainee in the medical illustration department, Misah Natumanya, an assistant Lecturer in the department of linguistics, English Language Studies and Communication skills, Associate Professor Patrick Job Ogao, an Information Technology specialist and Associate Professor Wilfred Lajul from the Department of Philosophy and Development Studies had their contracts with the university declined.  

There is no official information regarding the university decision not to renew the contracts of the affected staff but insiders say there were huge mistakes during last year’s massive recruitments, which stretched the university wage bill. A strategic source from the university disclosed to URN that there is a likelihood of a crisis especially in areas where these staff have been working.