Ex-MUBS principal Balunywa expected in court Tuesday

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Former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) principal Prof. Wasswa Balunywa is expected to appear at the Anti-Corruption Court today (September 2, 2025) to answer charges of abuse of office in connection with the illegal recruitment of staff.

A fortnight ago, Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze issued a criminal summons against Balunywa to appear in court for not showing up to answer the charges.

This was after the lawyer representing Balunywa, Asuman Matovu, informed the court that the latter failed to turn up in the court to answer charges of abuse of office because he is unwell.

Balunywa, 68, faces two counts of abuse of office, contrary to Section 10 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Court Act. The offence of abuse of office attracts a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.

He is charged together with Jacqueline Namaganda, 47, the former MUBs acting human resource director and current chief quality assurance officer, who is accused of neglect of duty, contrary to section 101 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Namaganda is currently out on a cash bail of sh4m. Her sureties were directed to execute a non-cash bond of sh50m.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Balunywa, between March 15, 2023 and April 13, 2023, in abuse of his office, recruited James Arike, Nathan Nuwagira and Nimrod Kakayi as administrative assistants, well knowing they did not have the academic qualifications for the said positions, thereby creating ineligible costs for the Government.

Others charged

The two are part of the over 30 government officials accused of abusing their office, employing unqualified people and creating ghost workers on the Government payroll.

Of the 30 suspects, 15 have been arraigned before the court and charged with various corruption offences. The majority are on remand at Luzira Prison.

The officials from various government agencies, including Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) and Uganda Police Force, are part of the racket behind the over sh53b financial loss to the government.

The money was allegedly paid to ghost workers in the different entities, according to investigations by the Police's Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID).