Makerere Ordered to Pay sh100m for Denying Prof Barya a Post-Retirement Contract
The Makerere University Staff Appeals Tribunal has overturned a decision by the university’s Appointments Board to deny law Professor, John Jean Barya, a post-retirement contract.
The Tribunal, chaired by the newly appointed chairperson, Dr Henry Onoria, also awarded Prof. Barya sh100m in general damages and directed the board to reconsider the decision, which was considered unjust.
The ruling follows Barya’s successful appeal against a 2021 decision, which declined his application for a post-retirement contract submitted in 2020 after serving 30 years as a lecturer at the School of Law.
Barya applied for a post-retirement contract on January 28, 2020, before reaching retirement age on May 15, 2020. While awaiting a decision on his application, he continued his work in the Department of Public and Comparative Law. He wrote to the Director of Human Resources on September 14, 2020, seeking an update on his application, after receiving no response.
But on December 15, 2020, the Director of Human Resources informed him that the Vice Chancellor could not recommend his post-retirement contract on grounds of having no teaching load and not being engaged in research.
On January 11, 2021, he wrote to the Appointments Board, about his application for the post-retirement contract, and in response, the Board declined to offer him a contract.
However, Barya requested the Tribunal to overturn the Appointments Board’s decision, order the University to pay the salary he would have earned if his post-retirement contract was approved, and compensate him for the damages incurred throughout the process.
In its decision, the Tribunal found that at the time, the Appointments Board queried Barya’s workload, there was no evidence in terms of a teaching timetable explaining how the Professor was teaching. The Tribunal therefore found that the Appointments Board did not properly evaluate evidence before it, and did not reach a fair decision.
Speaking to URN after the verdict, Barya said that the Vice Chancellor’s actions were unjust. He argued that the purported reason for denying him the contract was a mere pretext but the real reason for the appointments board’s decision was his continued involvement in advocating for better terms and conditions for Makerere University teaching staff.
He added that the ruling will set a precedent that the Vice Chancellor and management have no powers to change the decisions of any academic unit, and will also teach them to follow the law.
While he served as lecturer at the Law School Prof. John Jean Barya was very vocal not only on issues affecting Makerere University academic staff but also national issues.
He regularly organized and participated in public seminars and dialogues in which he advocated for better working terms for the university staff and democracy and accountability in the country. In the process, he courted resentment not only among administrators of Makerere University but also among the political class in the country.
*Source – URN*
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The National Unity Platform (NUP) has condemned an alleged attack on its headquarters in Kavule, Makerere, reportedly orchestrated by controversial singer Alien Skin and his associates. According to a statement released by the party, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at approximately 3:15 a.m.
The statement alleges that Alien Skin’s group unlawfully entered the party’s premises, threatened the security guard on duty, and vandalized the walls with provocative graffiti. NUP expressed deep regret over these actions, describing them as reminiscent of tactics used by individuals deployed in the past to destabilize efforts for political reform in Uganda.
“It is regrettable that these brothers have learned nothing from those who the regime and other detractors have used against the people in the past, including Sipapa, Sobi, Zebra, Kitatta, among others,” the statement read.
The party noted that such incidents tend to spike as Uganda approaches elections, suggesting that certain groups are allegedly being used to derail the opposition’s agenda through acts of provocation and violence.
NUP urged Alien Skin and his associates to reflect on their actions, warning that history has repeatedly shown how individuals used to disrupt political struggles often face repercussions and lose public favor over time.
“The struggle for a better Uganda cannot be derailed by such antics. We call upon all Ugandans to remain vigilant and united in the face of intimidation and provocation,” the statement concluded.
This attack has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition supporters and human rights activists, who see it as part of a broader campaign to stifle dissent in the lead-up to elections. Meanwhile, calls for accountability and an impartial investigation into the incident are growing louder.
Alien Skin has yet to comment on the allegations, and efforts to reach him for a statement were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
NUP STATEMENT
This morning at 3:15am, a team led by musician Alien Skin attacked the National Unity Platform Headquarters at Kavule. They violated the premises, threatened the security guard on duty and used graffiti to draw provocative things on our walls. It is regrettable that these brothers have learnt nothing from those who the regime and other detractors have used against the people in the past, including Sipapa, Sobi, Zebra, Kitatta, among others. It is sad that each time we’re approaching elections, there is always a group willing to be used to engage in crimes against the people. We hope they will do some introspection before time catches up with them.
NUP Condemns Attack on Headquarters by NRM Funded Alien Skin and Gang
News
Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests