Kampala, Uganda: The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn all corruption-related charges against former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal, Professor Waswa Balunywa, effectively ending a high-profile legal battle that had drawn national attention.
Prof. Balunywa and his co-accused, Ms Jacqueline Namaganda, were facing three counts of abuse of office and three counts of neglect of duty under the Anti-Corruption Act and the Penal Code Act, respectively. Both have now been formally discharged by the Anti-Corruption Court.
According to a withdrawal form dated November 7, 2025, and signed by then-DPP Jane Frances Abodo, the state decided to discontinue proceedings against the duo. The withdrawal notice was presented in court by Principal Assistant DPP Caroline Nabaasa before Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit, who confirmed the DPP’s decision.
“This is to inform court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided to discontinue proceedings against A1, Professor Waswa Balunywa, and A2, Jacqueline Namaganda,” the formal notice read.
When the case came up for mention, Magistrate Opit ruled that the matter be formally closed and ordered the refund of cash bail, release of sureties, and return of property, including a land title, that had been deposited as security during the proceedings.
“The charges are hereby withdrawn, and the accused persons are discharged,” Magistrate Opit declared, effectively ending the two-month prosecution.
The decision marks a dramatic twist in a case that had captivated the education and legal fraternity since September, when the former MUBS boss was arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison on allegations of irregular staff recruitment.
Case Background
According to the charge sheet, Prof. Balunywa was accused of unlawfully recruiting over 100 staff members between 2020 and 2023 without approval from the institution’s Appointments Committee, contrary to public service procedures.
The prosecution alleged that the appointments, involving 103 academic, 17 administrative, and 69 support staff, were irregular and executed without adherence to proper recruitment protocols.
His co-accused, Ms Jacqueline Namaganda, who served as Acting Director of Human Resource and later Chief Quality Assurance Officer, was accused of failing to assess the eligibility and qualifications of the appointed staff.
Both defendants denied all charges, maintaining that the appointments were made in accordance with the school’s operational needs and internal regulations.
The charges came at a politically sensitive time, following Prof. Balunywa’s controversial reappointment as MUBS Principal. In 2018, after his fifth term expired, First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni directed the Education Service Commission to search for his replacement. However, President Yoweri Museveni overruled that directive, citing Balunywa’s contribution to the NRM’s liberation ideology and his administrative legacy at MUBS.
That decision extended his leadership at the institution to May 2023 but later sparked scrutiny from accountability agencies investigating public sector recruitment practices.
With the DPP’s decision to drop the case, Prof. Balunywa now walks free, clearing his name from charges that many insiders had described as politically charged and administratively motivated.
The development comes barely a week after the DPP also withdrew charges against State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoloobi in the Karamoja iron sheets case, signaling what some observers have called a “season of legal reprieves” for senior government and academic figures.
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