Ex-MUBS Principal Prof Balunywa Granted Bail

KAMPALA – Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court has released former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) principal Prof. Waswa Balunywa on bail in two separate cases of alleged abuse of office, while dismissing a bid by prosecutors to challenge its authority.

Balunywa, who led MUBS for more than 20 years before stepping down in 2022, faces accusations of irregular staff appointments and mismanagement of school resources. He denies any wrongdoing.

On Friday, the court granted him bail in both cases. In the first, Balunywa was ordered to pay 10 million shillings ($2,700) in cash and present 100 million shillings in non-cash sureties. In the second case, bail was set at 5 million shillings in cash and 50 million shillings in sureties.

Prosecutors from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had attempted to challenge the Anti-Corruption Court’s jurisdiction, claiming that some of the witnesses were beyond its reach. But the judge dismissed the argument, ruling that the court has authority to hear corruption-related cases across the country.

Appearing in court for the first time since charges were filed, the 67-year-old former principal smiled as he was granted temporary freedom. His supporters insist the cases are politically motivated, while critics argue they highlight persistent governance concerns at public institutions.

Uganda has in recent years intensified prosecution of senior officials accused of corruption and mismanagement, with President Yoweri Museveni frequently citing graft as a major barrier to national development.