Former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal Prof. Waswa Balunywa has been remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing in court on charges of abuse of office. He is scheduled to return to court on September 5.
The Charges
Authorities allege that between February and April 2023, Prof. Balunywa irregularly recruited three administrative assistants without the required academic qualifications, resulting in costs deemed ineligible to the government.
In addition, he faces new charges related to the unauthorized appointment of more than 180 staff members, including academic, administrative, and support staff positions that, by law, should have been handled by the designated appointing committee.
Legacy at MUBS
Prof. Balunywa is widely credited with transforming MUBS from a small department into a leading business school with tens of thousands of students and a robust academic portfolio. During his tenure, he expanded programmes, boosted research output, and positioned the school as one of Uganda’s most respected higher education institutions.
He also pioneered the private students’ scheme, established leadership initiatives, and contributed to community development through health and education projects. His nearly three-decade leadership shaped generations of Ugandan business leaders.
Turning Point
Now facing legal scrutiny, Prof. Balunywa’s achievements stand alongside serious allegations of administrative misconduct. The coming hearings will determine whether his tenure, marked by growth and innovation, will also be remembered for governance failures.
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