Makerere University’s acting deputy vice chancellor for finance and administration (DVC F&A) Prof William Bazeyo has resigned his job.
He cited “personal and family reasons” for his decision to throw in the towel.
“I am writing to inform you that today 8th October 2020, I have submitted my resignation from the Position of Ag DVC (F & A) to the appointing authority,” he informed staff.
He further expressed gratitude to the university community “for the support you rendered to me as I served and made a contribution to our great university.”
“For those that I could have offended while I executed my duties I sincerely apologize,” he said.
“I would like to believe that together we can make a bigger Contribution so that we leave no room to be judged by History.”
“I have done this for personal and family reasons and it takes immediate effect.”
In a notice dated October 08, Prof Bazeyo also withdrew from the search process for a substantive DVC F&A.
“I have also withdrawn my candidature from the ongoing Search process for the Substantive position of DVC (F & A).”
DVC SEARCH PROCESS CONTROVERSY
In June 2019, High Court Judge Musa Sekaana nullified the appointment of Bazeyo as DVC F&A.
His opponent Prof Anthony Mugisha of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (Covab) had challenged the occupational health professor’s appointment, citing irregularities in the process.
Prof Mugisha had argued that the DVC Search Committee had not only broken the rules but had usurped the powers of Senate.
“Instead of recommending and or forwarding the names of the said two candidates [Mugisha and Bazeyo] that met the criteria to the University Senate, the Search Committee took it upon itself to compare the two candidates and declared Prof Bazeyo the best and only candidate to be appointed for the post, something that I verily believe was beyond its mandate,” wrote Prof Mugisha in his petition.
Justice Sekaana granted Mugisha’s prayers and ordered a fresh search process, ruling that the Search Committee had flouted provisions of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.
“The Act vested the University Senate with power to recommend a person with approval of the University Council for appointment by the Chancellor,” submitted Sekaana.
“The right to choose had to be made by the University Senate and the Search Committee choosing one or a ‘sole’ candidate and taking the power of the University Senate through transmission of the only forwarded name and not exercising any power conferred by the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act was an abuse of discretion and wrongful exercise of power.”
PROF WILLIAM BAZEYO PHD QUERIED
Chancellor Ezra Suruma would later appoint Bazeyo in acting capacity, a position he held until recently when he temporarily handed over to Prof Eria Hissali to take part in the search process.
Months ago, two alumni Sam Ninsiima and Amos Welike accused the DVC Search Committee of having “erroneously shortlisted” Bazeyo.
Through their lawyers of Birungi, Nalunkuma and Company Advocates, Ninsiima and Welike argued that Bazeyo earned his PhD from Atlantic International University, an institution “which is not accredited by agencies recognized by the US Department of Education.”
The petitioners had ridden on the advice of Academic Registrar Alfred Masikye Namoah to seek clarification from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) on the validity of awards from Atlantic International University.
In July 2020, NCHE’s acting director of quality assurance and accreditation Pius C Achanga responded to a June 29 request for clarification as filed by Birungi, Nalunkuma and Company Advocates confirmed that “Atlantic International University is NOT accredited by agencies recognised by the US Department of Education.”
Achanga added that the NCHE does not recognize awards given by the Atlantic International University.
Bazeyo’s resignation now leaves Prof Mugisha and Associate Prof Allan Mulengani Katwalo, the dean of School of Business and Applied Technology at Clarke International University, in the race for DVC F&A.
