The Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Racheal Nakyazze has granted bail to embattled former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Prof Waswa Balunywa, on two separate abuse of office cases.
Balunywa who is facing charges of irregular appointment of unqualified staff and illegal mass recruitment during his tenure at the Nakawa based institute is jointly charged with Jacqueline Namaganda, the former acting Human Resource Director at MUBS, who is accused of neglecting her duty by failing to verify the recruits’ eligibility before their appointments.
Balunywa has been released on cash bails of Shs10 million and Shs5 million, with sureties bonded at Shs100 million and Shs50 million non-cash, in the first case of unqualified staff and second case of illegal mass recruitment respectively.
While giving Balunywa his freedom, Her Worship Nakyazze dismissed the state prosecutor Caroline Nabasa’s objection of the court’s jurisdiction, noting that the court has the mandate to handle cases nationwide.
“The sureties presented and my attention being drawn to surety number one and two not being within this court’s jurisdiction. This court operates countrywide and as such has jurisdiction by its unique status to try all matters within Uganda, the said sureties are within the court’s jurisdiction”
She added, “However be it as it may, given the constitutional bail guidelines under guideline 5(1) of the consideration is that such sureties are residents within Uganda on those premises I find all sureties substantial and bail is therefore granted under the following conditions”.
“The accused to execute a cash bail of UGX 10 million Shillings and each surety is bonded at a non cash of 100 million shillings, the accused will return for mention and fixing the matter for a pre trial on the 15th of October 2025 at 9am I so order” Nakyazze ordered.
Court heard that Balunywa abused his office by unlawfully appointing James Arike, Nathan Nuwagira and Nimrod Kakayi as Administrative Assistants creating ineligible costs to government forming the basis of the corruption case.
Prosecution noted that the recruitment process contravened established guidelines and procedures for hiring public servants, which prompted the Inspectorate of Government to launch an investigation into Balunywa, who served as MUBS principal for several years.
The case has been adjourned to 15th October 2025 at 9:30 am
