By Jazeerah Mirembe
KAMPALA. The management of Makerere University , Uganda premier academic institution , has ordered senior lecturer Dr Faisal Buyinza to step aside from leadership duties over alleged f sexual harassment, abuse of power and domestic violence.
A six-member committee has been instituted to investigate the allegations .
Investigations stem from a complaint lodged by Dr Buyinza’s former wife, Hanifah Nakiryowa.
The university announced the decision on October 7, days after it first addressed the controversy on October 1 following growing public attention to the allegations.
Nakiryowa has accused Buyinza of abusing his position as a lecturer when she was a student at Makerere in the early 2000s, alleging that he withheld her examination results until she agreed to enter a relationship with him.
Buyinza has since denied the allegations.
The allegations also revive a 2011 acid attack in which Nakiryowa suffered severe injuries. She was attacked on December 11, 2011, outside the residence where she had gone to collect her children. Her young daughter was also injured.
Buyinza was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder at Buganda Road Court over allegations that he had masterminded the attack. He denied the charge.
The prosecution discontinued the case in July 2014 after repeatedly failing to produce additional witnesses. The court subsequently discharged Buyinza, meaning the case ended without a conviction.
Makerere has now appointed a six-member committee to investigate the new allegations under the university’s Safeguarding Policy, Policy and Regulations Against Sexual Harassment and applicable staff disciplinary procedures.
The committee is chaired by Associate Professor Dorothy K. Okello, Dean of the School of Engineering at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology (CEDAT).
Other members include representatives from the College of Computing and Information Sciences, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, the Legal Office and Human Resources.
The committee is expected to hear from complainants and witnesses while giving Buyinza an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
“The Committee will hear every complainant and witness, and will give Dr. Buyinza an opportunity to respond to each allegation, in accordance with the principles of natural justice,” the university said.
The committee has been given until November 6, 2026 to submit its report to the Vice Chancellor.
As the inquiry proceeds, Buyinza has been directed to step aside from the leadership or administrative position he holds at the university. The Dean of the School of Economics will oversee the department in the interim.
He has also been directed not to contact, influence or interfere with any complainant or witness involved in the investigation.
Makerere stressed that the administrative measures do not amount to a finding of guilt.
“These are administrative measures. They are not a disciplinary sanction and do not pre-judge the outcome,” the university said.
The university has called on complainants and anyone with relevant information to make submissions to the committee, promising confidentiality and protection from intimidation, victimisation or retaliation.
Makerere has also warned members of its community against using social media in ways that could expose complainants, intimidate witnesses or interfere with the investigation.
If the committee establishes that there is a case to answer, the matter will proceed to the Appointments Board, where Buyinza will be given an opportunity for a fair hearing under university procedures.