KAMPALA – Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi has been re-elected chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA).
In the election conducted on Monday, Dr. Kamunyu garnered 605 votes, trouncing his opponent, Dr. Oria Hussein, a lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, who could only manage 120 votes. Dr. Oria has been MUASA treasurer.
Dr. Edward Nectar Mwavu retained his seat as MUASA vice-chairperson after defeating Crispus Mayors. Dr. Christine Mbabazi was voted vice general secretary after beating the incumbent Dr. Geoffrey Nuwagaba.
Chris Charles Kital won the race for the position of the association treasurer against Douglas Deogratius Bamweyana.
Dr. Kamunyu’s re-election is a slap in the face of the vice-chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe.
On January 17, 2019, Makerere University handed Dr. Kamunyu Muhwezi an indefinite suspension.
At the time, he was a vocal critic of the university administration, representing voices of staff demanding reforms in key areas of the institution including employment systems, the welfare of staff, academic freedoms and proper functioning of university systems and spoke against financial excesses and misallocation of resources.
It is his stance on these issues as a representative of the academic staff that a deep-seated animosity grew between staff associations and the university administration led by Nawangwe.
Kamunyu was suspended on accusations of inciting staff and indiscipline and insubordination to the authorities following several warnings and his insistence to have the staff issues addressed. His suspension caused an uproar from university staff leading to a month-long sit-down strike by all staff causing stalemate at the century-prestigious institution.
Dr. Kamunyu resumed work on November 14, 2019.
