Makerere University has “with immediate effect pending investigations” suspended Dr Stella Nyanzi a research fellow at the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) over a nude protest she staged on Monday.

According to a statement by the appointments board which has issued the suspension, the act by Dr Nyanzi was unfortunate. Nyanzi stripped to the nicker while protesting what she calls the ‘dictatorship’ of the director of MISR, Prof Mahmood Mamdani who is her boss. She accuses him of locking her of her office for three days.

However, for his part, Prof Mamdani said that Nyanzi was no longer taking part in the research programs at MISR, a primary function of the institute. In an interview with NBS television, Prof Mamdani added that Nyanzi has been doing her personal work which does not help the institute.

“If she is to keep at MISR, we shall only give her space in the library where she can do her personal research from, and we give the office to someone else who will be working for the institute,” Prof Mamdani said,

He also said that the research that Nyanzi has been doing is never submitted to MISR for review, something that violates the norm of the Institute.

In a letter seen by Journalism@Mak, the Board has set up a committee comprising Hajat Sharifah Buzeki, Assistant Commissioner, HRM policies at procedures at Ministry of Public Service as chairperson.

Other members on the committee are; Prof Sarah Kiguli a professor at Paediatrics and Child Health, Dr Sarah – a senior lecturer at the School of Women and Gender studies, among other members.

The committee will among others; review the management of PhD Programme at MISR, review how research fellows relate to the PhD programme, and also review the management of the same programme.

The committee is expected to start its work on Monday April 25 and submit their findings within 25 days.