State Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Lily Rose Akello, has called on the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate alleged corruption at Makerere University.
In a letter dated March 27, 2025, Akello stated that the Global Anti-Corruption Initiative, a civil society organization, had raised concerns over corruption in the university’s employment systems. She asked the IGG to conduct an urgent probe and protect whistleblowers from victimization under the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2010.
The allegations include claims that Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe was promoted without meeting academic qualifications. The letter also accuses a university council member of soliciting bribes from staff and states that Prof. Henry Alinaitwe is illegally acting as Deputy Vice Chancellor.
Akello noted that after the accusations surfaced, Nawangwe retaliated by issuing warning letters to staff association leaders and ordering the transfer of the internal auditor and interdiction of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) secretary general.
Makerere University has faced persistent leadership disputes. Last week, MUASA petitioned Speaker of Parliament to intervene in the selection of a new Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
In a letter signed by MUASA Chairperson Dr. Robert Kakuru and Secretary General Dr. Jude Ssempebwa, the association accused the university of wasting taxpayers’ money by initiating a new search process. They argued that the senate had already approved Prof. Anthony Mugisha for the position last year, but the university council refused to confirm him.
Last month, Nawangwe announced a fresh search for deputy vice chancellors for academic affairs and finance. However, MUASA insists the new process defies a court order.
