A Human Resource audit report of Makerere University has exposed the fictitious recruitment process at the University.
The report pins Andrew Abanyang, the Director Human Resource for the mess in Makerere’s recruitment process.
The probe into Makerere University’s Human Resource followed a directive by Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to conduct an audit into the University’s human resource, after the University was left grappling with Shs17bn in wage shortages in 2018.
A 10 member Human Resource Audit Committee was instituted headed by Prof. Noble Banadda, Chairman Contracts Committee and other members included: Dr. Vincent Ssembatya- Director Quality Assurance, Dr. Sylvia Nannyonga, Dr. Josephine Nabukenya, Dr. Paul Omach, Dr. John Mango, Dr. Godfrey Akileng, Andrew Abuyang, Richard Mugisha and Julius Lebo.
The report revealed that the process through which new employees access the Makerere University payroll have partly caused the current predicament.
“A case in point is in December 2019, positions of 35 persons were advertised but 75 persons were hired and added on the payroll translating into the advertised posts. It suffices to note that the Makerere University payroll is managed by the Director Human Resource,” read in part the report.
The audit Committee noted loopholes into the current procedure, arguing that it allows the Director HR who is the Secretary to the Appointment Board to effect directives and decisions of the board, a process that leaves the University Senate, Administrative Office or Finance Department with no roles in the recruitment process.
The HR audit Committee described the trend as a very serious anomaly that must be addressed hence with.
In their recommendation to the Vice Chancellor, the Committee proposed, “The Director Human Resource should be writing reports of planned recruitment for management consideration and confirmation of funding by the University Damage. Before recruitments are forwarded to Appointments Board for consideration, the Director Human Resource should seek for approval and no objection for the availability of funds from the University Secretary through the Bursar.”
The Committee also pointed out that Makerere University is a public University that should follow the budget cycle of Government of Uganda and as a consequence, Makerere University cannot promote its staff in total disregard of the budgeting process.
The Audit Committee also blamed Ad-hoc promotions for being responsible for the unending financial crisis at Makerere University since no planner can accurately predict the numbers and ranks of newly appointed staff in a given financial year. Even in the region, Dar es Salaam University promotes its staff once a year.
