KAMPALA: A professor of mathematics at Makerere University has petitioned the University Council, challenging the search process for the position of Principal College of Computing and Information Science at the institution.
Professor Constant Okello-Obura in his January 26, 2022, petition to the University Council chairperson, Lorna Magara, says the candidature of Prof. Tonny Oyana for the position of Principal College of Computing and Information Science was irregular and against the university human resource manual.
Prof. Obura said whereas Prof. Oyana had not been shortlisted because he did not meet the requirements for the position, he says the latter was later shortlisted after the interviews had already commenced.
“Reference is made to the letter dated October 29, 2021, written to Prof. Tonny Oyana attached marked “A”. In the letter, it is clearly stated that Prof. Tonny Oyana was not shortlisted because he did not meet the requirements for the position. I got surprised to find out that he was later shortlisted after the interviews had already commenced,” the petition reads in part.
“I find this not only irregular but also illegitimate and against Human Resources Recruitment practices for Makerere University, the highest institution of learning in Uganda. Records also show that he was allowed to submit fresh documents for the job dated 5/11/2021 and received on 08/11/2021 far after the closing date of 17/08/2021,” he adds.
Prof. Oyana scored 69.28% compared to Obura’s 71.75% in the competitive search process. But according to Obura, Oyana also did not qualify to be shortlisted because he did not meet the requirements.
“Part iv- of the advert for the position of Principal states: “teaching experience of at least 6 years in one of the disciplines offered in the college he/she intends to lead” (See Document marked G). There is no evidence to this effect that Prof. Oyana meets this requirement. Even in the last 4.5 years he has been Principal of CoCIS, he has neither taught any course in CoCIS nor supervised any student in research from any of the six departments,” the petition adds.
Among other accusations, Prof Obura calls for the cancellation of Oyana’s candidature for the position.
“Based on the above grounds…, I hereby petition the University Council and pray that Prof Tonny Oyana’s candidature for the position of Principal of College of Computing and Information Sciences is disqualified/cancelled and I am recommended for appointment by the University Chancellor having also merged as the best in the competitive search process,” the petition adds.
Prof Obura later informed colleagues in the college via WhatsApp that he is ready to fight what he calls injustices in the search process.
“Dear colleagues. I want to let you know that I was deeply dissatisfied with the search process for principal conas. According to me there were clear evidence illogical bias, conflict of interest etc I could not stand this injustice in an institution I have enjoyed serving for 30 years,” he said.
This comes days after a whistleblower asked the government to interest itself in the search process of the new principals and deputy principals of colleges at Makerere University, saying it was littered with corruption.
On January 10, 2022, Makerere University senate approved the appointment of new leaders to fill the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal for College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES); College of Education and External Studies (CEES); College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (COVAB); College of Natural Sciences (CONAS); College of Computing and Information Sciences (COCIS) and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).
But according to the whistle blower, the search process was full of irregularities. The whistle blower says that the search committee was irregularly formed and is comprised of people not fit for the purpose.
The committee members are Rt. Hon. Daniel Fred Kidega, John Chris Ninsiima – Chairperson, Dr. Edward Kitoogo Fredrick, Jolly Uzamukunda, Dr. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Jude Mbabali and Doreen Nyanjura.
But according to the whistle blower, this team is not competent enough to conduct interviews for people seeking to hold such senior positions.
“Other than being Council members, the search committee was comprised of members with little or no competence, knowledge or experience to interview candidates for positions such as Principal and Deputy Principal of a College of Makerere University. Their motivation to engage in such a process is to obtain an avenue to earn some allowances and solicit bribes from candidates,” the whistle blower’s report reads in part.
The petitioner also questions the outcome of the process, saying it is suspicious and illogical for inexperienced and junior lecturers to emerge victorious at the expense of the senior ones.
“Assoc. Prof. Ireeta Tumps; the most junior, inexperienced in management because he is just in his first term as Head of Department – a department with only 11 people, has never been Dean therefore, has never been a Dean, has never held any other managerial position is warded marks to beat his “Seniors,”” the report reads in part.
“Ireeta Tumps’ performance is a miracle and an irrationality. Ireeta Tumps was scored highly than his seniors who possess all the experience to a level of Deputy Principal. Put another way, with Dr. Fredrick Jonas Muyodi and Prof. John Mango Magero competing, Ireeta Tumps would not have been short listed,” it adds.