The Anti-Corruption Court has granted bail to former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal, Prof. Waswa Balunywa, in two separate abuse of office cases.
Although prosecution attorney Caroline Nabasa initially objected to the bail application, she later informed the court: “Your worship, we have instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to oppose this bail application.”
The court also dismissed the DPP’s objection regarding jurisdiction, affirming that it has the authority to handle cases from across the country.
Prof. Balunywa was released on cash bail of Shs10 million and Shs5 million for the two cases, respectively. His sureties were bonded at Shs100 million and Shs50 million non-cash. The judge further directed him to deposit his land title for property in Bukoyo, Iganga, as well as his passport, with the court.
Prof. Balunywa had earlier been remanded to Luzira Prison following charges of abuse of office filed by the DPP. The charges stem from alleged irregular staff recruitment during his tenure as principal in March 2023.
According to the charge sheet, Prof. Balunywa is accused of unlawfully appointing three individuals—Arike James, Nuwagira Nathan, and Nimrod Kakayi—as Administrative Assistants, despite their failure to meet the minimum academic qualifications required for the positions.
The DPP, Jane Frances Abodo, claims the appointments were made arbitrarily, in violation of public service procedures, and resulted in undue costs to the Government of Uganda.
“Prof. Balunywa recruited Nimrod Kakayi as an Administrative Assistant, fully aware that he did not meet the minimum academic qualifications for the position, thereby incurring ineligible costs for the Government of Uganda,” said Abodo.
Prof. Balunywa was charged alongside Jacqueline Namaganda, the former Acting Director of Human Resources at MUBS, who currently serves as the institution’s Chief Quality Assurance Officer. Namaganda is accused of neglect of duty for failing to assess the eligibility of the appointees, thereby enabling their improper recruitment.
The alleged offenses occurred between March 18 and March 28, 2023, during Prof. Balunywa’s tenure as Principal of MUBS
