Nyanzi accuses Makerere University of disregarding orders by staff appeals tribunal to reinstate her as Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) research fellow. Nyanzi who is still on remand at Luzira prison for attacking President Yoweri Museveni and his late mother in a poem, was indefinitely suspended for allegedly insulting the First Lady, also Education minister Janet Museveni.
The staff appeals tribunal chaired by George Omunyokol ruled against Dr Nyanzi’s suspension in 2016, saying it was illegal. It ordered her reinstatement and payment of her emoluments – all ignored by the university, prompting Nyanzi to run to court.
The matter came up for hearing today, but Nyanzi informed justice Mugambe that she couldn’t proceed because she was unwell following a miscarriage that she had in Luzira prison last week.
Dr Nyanzi had a cannula on one of her hands and didn’t have her trademark dreads. Her lawyer Semakadde also asked for adjournment, saying he also wanted to get some records pertaining Nyanzi’s employment details at Makerere University.
He explained that the records that show the process of Nyanzi’s employment and minutes of the meeting leading to her suspension are in soft copies with his client. Semakadde noted that the university had concealed the documents alleging that Nyanzi was invited to one of the meetings with the appointments board to discuss her issues, but was non-responsive.
Semakadde told court that Nyanzi attended the meeting and ‘blasted’ the members for failing to understand how she was employed at Makerere University.
The university, which was represented by Esther Kalinga didn’t raise any objection to the adjournment. Although Semakadde asked for a week-long adjournment, Kalinga said she needed more time arguing that she is new in the case and needs time to read the file.
Kalinga argued that Hudson Musoke who was representing Makerere University in the case was unwell. Justice Mugambe told Makerere to always implement court orders. Mugambe said that the university shouldn’t be put in a mess because of intrigue. Nyanzi will now return on February 13 for hearing of her case.