MBARARA – The Mbarara University of Science and Technology Academic Staff Association (MUSTASA) and the National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) have rejected the reappointment of Professor Celestino Obua as the university’s Vice-Chancellor (VC).
The July 29 document is addressed to the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) council and community where the association termed the reappointment as illegal and irregular pending the decision of the next joint staff General Assembly.
According to MUSTASA and NUEI, the reappointment neglects and flouts the provisions of the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), sections 30 and 31 respectively.
“UOTIA does not contain any provision allowing a Chancellor of a Public University to appoint person(s) other than those recommended by the Council of a University,” reads an excerpt in the letter.
Adding that, “As such, the reappointment of Prof Celestino Obua by the Chancellor without any recommendation from the University Council is an act in excess of the latter’s jurisdiction.”
The letter is signed by the Deputy Chairman MUSTASA Simon Kawema, MUSTASA General Secretary Julius Taremwa and the Branch Secretary NUEI Francis Tumwesigye.
They have further noted that the MUST Council failed to undertake its role in the selection process of the Vice Chancellor.
Prof Celestino confirmed his reappointment by the University’s Chancellor Prof Charles L.M Olweny for another five-year term effective October 25 during the recent Senate meeting held on July 25 at Kihumuro campus.
It should, however, be recalled that the issue of the VC was central to the recent staff strike at the university with one of the demands being the MUST Council accelerating the process of replacing Prof Obua.
