{UAH} Allan/Pojim/WBK: VC Ddumba blocks Mamdani shortlisting - National

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VC Ddumba blocks Mamdani shortlisting

MISR executive director Mahmood Mamdani (L) chats with Makerere University vice Chancellor Ddumba Ssentamu at the university recently. PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA 

In Summary

Case. Makerere University vice chancellor says Prof Mamdani should not be shortlisted because he is already 70 years, the retirement age.

Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Ddumba-Ssentamu, has objected to the shortlisting of Prof Mahmood Mamdani in the ongoing search for the executive director of the university's Institute of Social Research (MISR).

On June 2, the university's appointments board chaired by Mr Bruce Balaba Kabaasa agreed to shortlist Prof Mamdani for the post, a decision Prof Ddumba says he respects but objects to because Prof Mamdani is already 70 years.

In a June 21 letter to Mr Balaba, a copy which Daily Monitor has seen, Prof Ddumba states that while exceptions have been made in the past, the university rules have to be followed.

"I am making this objection to ensure that university policies are observed and to avoid making precedent. Therefore, I urge the appointments board not to shortlist Prof Mamdani for the position of director at MISR."
In an interview, Mr Balaba said the appointments board was yet to make a final decision on the matter.

"We are making some consultations. Makerere is a public university, so we are making consultations with the custodians of the law," Mr Balaba said. 
Prof Mamdani, who was recently involved in a heated public exchange with the VC, could not be reached for a comment about Prof Ddumba's move.

The duo's dispute came into the limelight following a clash between Prof Mamdani and Makerere University researcher Stella Nyanzi. 
At the height of the dispute which saw Dr Nyanzi stage a stripping outside MISR offices, Prof Ddumba said Prof Mamdani could leave because "MISR did not start with Mamdani".

Earlier, Prof Mamdani had questioned the VC's neutrality in the wrangle and Prof Ddumba's capacity to take Makerere forward. 
Prof Mamdani also accused Prof Ddumba of hatching a plot to dismantle the PhD programme at MISR and working to have him thrown out of the university so that the institute is run on a consultancy and not research unit basis.

sdkafeero@ug.nationmedia.com

VC Ddumba blocks Mamdani shortlisting - National

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/VC-Ddumba-objects-to-shortlisting-of-Mamdani/-/688334/3271746/-/465jiw/-/index.html

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