Dr. Deus Muhwezi, the chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), has cited what he called conflict of interest as a possible factor in the university’s failure to stamp out sexual harassment.

Dr Muhwezi says all perpetrators are known but wonders why they are never brought out and successfully apprehended.

Dr Muhwezi was on Friday speaking during the 'Mak Diva Safety Campaign' event in the University Main Hall. The Mak Diva Safety Campaign was organized to address issues of sexual harassment and violence against women.

He proposes the appointment of 100 well-known and well trained people of integrity from whom the vice chancellor can, from time to time, draw committees to carry out investigations.

At the same event, Prof Sylvia Tamale, from the School of Law punched holes in a report of the committee set up to probe into allegations of sexual harassment at the university. In her speech, Prof Tamale said that, whereas the interviewees in the previous reports included students as well as Academic staff in Schools, faculties and Colleges of Makerere University, this time the non-teaching staff was left out.

The five-member committee set up by the vice chancellor released its report in June, but Tamale describes it as porous, insisting that the findings and recommendations made were based on research that was not inclusive enough.

To her, in order to reach to the gist of the matter, and have a more realistic report, all views have to be captured. It is against this backdrop that she announced that a new report is underway.

Ironically, Prof Tamale chaired the committee.

 In March this year, Vice Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe appointed a committee to investigate reports of sexual harassment in the institution.

This followed claims by female students at the university that male lecturers and administrators were demanding for sexual favours in exchange for better grades. The committee presented its findings after three months and most cases reported were by female students.

The committee among others recommended that the university install CCTV cameras in all strategic places, including key buildings, around Campus to cub the vice. It also proposed installation of lighting system throught the Campus.