The chairperson Makerere University appointments board, Bruce Kabaasa has said that the embattled Dr Stella Nyanzi is still an employee of the university, adding most recommendations by the investigations committee have been found to be baseless

While speaking at a press conference that was aimed at highlighting the current state of Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) where Nyanzi is employed as a research fellow at Makerere on Tuesday, Kabaasa said that "she can only be relieved of her duties after following a legal procedure.

"As far as we know, Nyanzi did not appoint herself and her being on suspension doesn't mean she was dismissed," Kabaasa clarified, adding: "She has been called to appear before the appointments board on Friday to discuss a way forward."

Dr Nyanzi was in April this year suspended from Makerere after she staged a nude demonstration, protesting being locked out of her office. Nyanzi accused her boss, Prof Mahmood Mamdani of lawlessness and dictatorship, claims that were later found baseless by the investigations committee. Since then, she has been updating statuses on the giant social media platform, Facebook, indicating how she will no longer work at MISR.

INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE WRONG

After the investigations committee handing over its findings to the same appointments board that instituted in May this year, the same board has said that much of former's observations were baseless and as a concerned body, couldn't recommend them.

Kabaasa said this after he was asked about the other university officials like the vice chancellor and the human resource manager who were implicated by the investigations committee report, which stated that they were negligent of their duties, something that sparked off the MISR conflict.

"Contrary to what the investigations commitee found out that the management  of MISR was not institutionalised, the appointments board and managent wish to assure the public that the PhD programme at MISR is fully institutionalised programme of the university conforming to all university regulations governing graduate training," Kabaasa said,  reluctantly adding "the other recommendations will be discussed later.

In his support was the deputy vice chancellor (finance and administration) Prof Barnabas Nawangwe. He added: "The contract of Prof Mahmood Mamdani the director of MISR was also extended until a suitable replacement is found.

However, as all these are taking place, Dr Nyanzi had earlier told Journalism At Mak that she is leaving Makerere for a similar Job in South Africa where she will be earning Shs 17m, monthly. We are not yet sure whether Nyanzi will work for Makerere any more.

tusiime.chris20@gmail.com