Kabale University has sacked more staff almost two months after two senior employees sued the institution for illegal termination.
The case, before the High court in Kabale, awaits judgment. In October 2016, Kennedy Rwaboona, the university secretary and William Kururagire, the bursar, through their lawyers of Ahimbisibwe & Agaba Advocates, sued Kabale University for sacking them.
The two joined the university in 2007 when it was a private institution. But in 2015, it was declared a public university with effect from July 1, 2016. After it became a public institution, all university staff were asked to express interest in their current positions and the two did so in July.
But they allege in their court application that the university council illegally terminated their contracts because they opposed the fraudulent spending that led to the students and lecturers’ one month’s strike this year.
Both petitioners want the court to declare with costs that their contracts with the university still run and have been fragrantly breached by the institution. In a special meeting on September 23, convened by the University Council chairman Manzi Tumubweine, the two sacked employees were instead removed from their respective positions and were re-recruited in junior positions.
According to the council minutes, which the two refer to as illegal, Rwaboona in the validation interview, scored 28.1 out of 60 marks and with his master’s degree in education (Economics), he was retained as deputy dean of students, which position the board of appointment recommended he should hold till July 31, 2017. However, the council resolved that he should hold it for only two months till September 30, 2016.
Kururagire reportedly scored 27.6 out of 60 marks and was demoted to the position of assistant lecturer because “he lacks professional qualifications, a key requirement for the bursar’s job.”
Though demoted, both retained their M3 monthly salary scale of Shs 5m. The university administration didn’t file a defense.
Rwaboona and Kururagire told The Observer yesterday that they were overqualified for the positions they were holding before the university was taken over by government.
In a new development, the university recently fired more staff accused of being unfit for the jobs and earning two government salaries because they were holding other government positions.
The sacked employees include Robert Ssendegeya, and O. Kyamugambire, Robert Musekuura and Betty Mutegeke (assistant lecturers in development studies), Immanuel Nkundazire (social work and social administration).
Ironically, the university recruited five staff on a six- month basis who still work with Kabale district council. According to a letter dated November 3, from Albert Matsiko Mutunguse, the chief administrative officer, addressed to the university vice chancellor Joy Kwesiga, the recruited officers were seconded by the district executive council because they are still district employees.
Interviewed recently for a comment, Tumubweine insisted that both Rwaboona and Kururagire went through the normal validation exercise.
slubwama@observer.ug