Former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal, Professor Waswa Balunywa, has been remanded to Luzira Prison until September 5 after facing fresh charges of abuse of office.
The new allegations include the illegal appointment of 103 academic staff, 17 administrative staff, and 69 support staff—appointments which, by law, should have been made by the designated appointing committee.
In addition, prosecution alleges that between February and April 2023, while still serving as Principal, Prof. Balunywa irregularly recruited three individuals as administrative assistants who did not possess the required academic qualifications.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged irregular recruitment created ineligible costs to the government, forming the basis of the corruption case.
The case, which has attracted wide public interest due to Balunywa’s long-standing tenure and influence in Uganda’s higher education sector, saw the charge sheet amended at the bar during court proceedings— a move that drew reactions in Parliament.
Speaking on the matter after it was raised on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa criticized the process, describing it as unusual.
“The manner in which Professor Balunywa Waswa’s charge sheet was amended at the bar, and yet all this time they have been wanting him in court, speaks volumes,” Basalirwa remarked.
Iganga Municipality MP Peter Mugema, also known as Panadol, asked Speaker Anita Among to intervene in the case, claiming Balunywa was being witch-hunted. In response, Speaker Among assured legislators that the matter was already being handled by the relevant authorities.
Prof. Balunywa, a highly regarded academic leader credited with transforming MUBS into a leading business education institution, has now joined a growing list of senior officials facing corruption-related charges.
The presiding magistrate ordered that Balunywa remain in Luzira until his bail application is formally considered. The case is expected to return to court on September 5 as the prosecution prepares to present evidence and witnesses.
Balunywa and the acting Human Resources Director Jacqueline Namaganda are part of a group of 30 people accused of causing a total financial loss of Shs 53 billion to the government across various agencies, including the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority and the Uganda Police Force.
The developments have sparked mixed reactions, with some members of the public expressing shock at the charges against a man celebrated for his decades of service to Uganda’s education sector, while others argue that it reflects the government’s renewed determination to hold high-profile officials accountable for abuse of office.