I cry not for Prof Kakumba, but for Makerere University 

Makerere University is in a state of mourning. Not that anyone died. But an injustice, an absolute case of classic tragic drama befell one of the institution’s most outstanding servants at a senior level: Prof Umar Kakumba.

Since November 2023, despite his outstanding performance and qualifications, the university refused to renew Prof Umar Kakumba’s contract, which would have been automatic as per precedent, and tertiary institutions’ acts. When he won the election for the position of deputy vice chancellor in charge of academic affairs (DVCAA) five years ago, economist Prof Umar Kakumba – a former national chess champion – brought his A-game to the position.

That the position of ‘academic affairs’ is a key position of any university, and that Prof Kakumba was taking over from a disaster-class in my teacher and friend, Dr Ernest Okello Ogwang, his appointment was not just a breath of fresh air, but the long-awaited reawakening.

The entire university agrees (except those blinded by small dreams) that in recent memory, this office has not seen a public servant with an outstanding clarity of vision, insistence on fairness based on rules and regulation, and an outstanding commitment to dialogue and reconciliation.

From guild presidents who served with him as DVCAA, deans of the different schools (united under the Deans Forum), to non-teaching/ administrative, and underground staff, all attest to his absolute incorruptible spirit, and a professional work ethic. Sadly, Kakumba’s work ethic, his amiable character and persona – he is also a very handsome dandy – threatened the folks running education in Uganda.

Taking Makerere as ‘their’ university, and threatened by the lunatic notion of ‘Muslim takeover’ of ‘their’ university, these folks could not look beyond these small parochial obstructions. They do not appreciate the investment of public resources in a man of this calibre beyond a deep-seated Islamophobia and subtle anti-Buganda nationalism.

Clearly, the ship is too big and overwhelming for them to appreciate small nails and bolts that hold things together. At one time, we will all simply sink. Blinded by this terrible mix of high-end concoctions, they harassed the meek character of Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, forcing him to snake on a man who actually gave him balance, and covered for his glaring shortfalls. Nawangwe, too, must be in mourning.

DOUBLE STANDARDS

Uganda recalls that scandal that dominated the media for weeks in 2022 after Nawangwe had been reappointed vice chancellor for the second term without going through search and electoral process. His reappointment happened a month before the end of his term. As a journalist and public commentator, I telephoned Prof Kakumba to understand why that had happened.

I know from experience that Kakumba is always informed about university governance rules. I recall how animatedly Kakumba explained – actually defended – Nawangwe’s reappointment, going on to share all legal provisions, and interpretations.

I also know that Nawangwe is perhaps the most loathed vice chancellor Makerere has seen in recent memory, and has been widely accused of, among other things, incompetence, rashness and authoritarianism. Thus, the animosity that met his reappointment.

One then wonders: why would a provision that enabled a return of a less competent, unpopular officer – already in his retirement age bracket – not be invoked for a more competent, and high- performing officer!?

How does one explain that Nawangwe, who, for four years rated his deputy extremely highly – which is the most necessary requirement for reappointment – but turned around not to recommend him for reappointment when the deputy expressed interest? Remember Nawangwe is under no threat from Kakumba because he is not only in the retirement bracket, but is also serving a second and final term.

Truth is, Nawangwe is a trapped man himself, turning painfully inside a boiling pot of greed and short-sightedness of his bosses. His weak and meek character, and a lack of backup constituency –– neither Catholic nor Muganda –– (which is common in Ugandan politics) renders him extremely vulnerable. But most importantly, like the entire university, he is a surrounded and controlled man.

MUSEVENI’S BOOTS

At the end of their reign, we will struggle to quantify the amount of loss suffered under Yoweri Museveni family rule. What is worse is that they are convinced that they are sacrificing a lot for the country. But as the joke goes, if Makerere had refused to go to the dogs, the dogs came to Makerere. The shiny wall was built with the dogs already inside.

Consider this for example: The Observer story on Kakumba’s issue attempts to profile the individuals running Makerere University, and these are responsible for professors and PhD holders. Neither of these folks has a PhD or ever held a professorship. They never taught at a university nor hold any illustrious administrative career.

Ms Lorna Magara is the chairperson of University Council. Her only management experience is being the principal of a small academy, called Vine International. Museveni’s son-in-law, advocate Edwin Karugire, is the chairperson of the Appointments Board, while Yoweri Museveni’s wife is the minister of Education.

The only outstanding qualification these folks have is being relatives to the president – and that they also pray in the same church. But how does one run a premier and supposedly competitive university around kindred and religious relations?

Prof Kakumba will be fine. His resume is employable in many places across the world. But Makerere University will never recover from these endless frustration and abuse of its best talents: Profs. Anthony Mugisha John Jean Barya, David Bakibinga, Dr Golooba-Mutebi, Dr James Ocita, Dr Stella Nyanzi, and several others.

That they have to resort to the law for remedies is just ugly. By the time a country produces individuals with these qualifications and accomplishments – especially in the academic realm – a lot of investment has gone into them, and these individuals ought to be protected as national treasures.

Power is blinding, and I can imagine some of these powerful blokes gloating, ‘another one will come,’ or ‘there are many talented people.’ But that you aren’t one of those stellar talents despite resources at your disposal ought to be a rude reminder. Also, that Makerere University is a public institution, which will outlive all of us, ought to be instructive to our short-sighted, and supposedly immortal compatriots.

yusufkajura@gmail.com

The author is a political theorist based at Makerere University.