Former MUBS Principal Prof Balunywa Charged Over Abuse Of Office – Set To Rot In Luzira

Kampala, Uganda – Former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal, Professor Waswa Balunywa, and the institution’s Chief Quality Assurance Officer, Jacqueline Namaganda, have been charged with multiple counts of abuse of office and neglect of duty for allegedly hiring unqualified staff, according to a police charge sheet sanctioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The charge sheet, dated February 20, 2025, details that Prof. Balunywa faces three counts of abuse of office contrary to section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116.

In the first count, prosecutors allege that “between 18th March 2023 and 28th March 2023 at Makerere University Business School Nakawa in Kampala city, whilst employed as the Principal of Makerere University Business School in abuse of the authority of his office did an arbitrary act to wit recruited Arike James as an Administrative Assistant well knowing that he did not have the minimum academic qualifications for the said position thereby creating ineligible costs for the Government of Uganda.”

Similar charges detail that between March 15 and April 13, 2023, Prof. Balunywa allegedly recruited Nuwagira Nathan, and between February 20 and March 28, 2023, Nimrod Kakayi, both as Administrative Assistants, “well knowing” they lacked the minimum academic qualifications.

Ms. Namaganda, who at the time served as Acting Human Resource Director, is accused of three counts of neglect of duty contrary to section 101 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128. In each case, she allegedly “neglected her duty to evaluate the eligibility” of the same three appointees, resulting in their appointments.

The DPP, Jane Frances Abodo, consented to the charges, which stem from investigations by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters at Kibuli.

Prof. Balunywa, 68, served as MUBS Principal for over two decades until his retirement in 2022. He was widely credited for transforming the institution into a leading business education centre, but his tenure also drew scrutiny over governance and staffing decisions.

The case comes amid intensified government scrutiny on recruitment practices in public institutions, with the Inspectorate of Government and the DPP pursuing cases where unqualified personnel are alleged to have been hired, leading to financial losses for taxpayers.