Ugandans deny role in Ali Hassan Joho papers

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • Detectives from the Directorate of Investigations and Intelligence have recorded statements from council staff
  • Prof Badru Katerega, the vice chancellor Kampala University, insists that Mr Joho earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a diploma in human resource at the university under the in-service programme

KAMPALA

Five Ugandan education officials have recorded statements in an investigation into Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s academic transcript.

The officials of Uganda’s National Council for Higher Education said they did not attend a meeting that purportedly cleared the politician’s papers.

Detectives from the Directorate of Investigations and Intelligence have recorded statements from council staff who said that they never sat in any meeting that cleared Mr Joho and only learnt about it from newspapers. Attention has now turned to the council’s executive director, Prof John-Asibo Opudo, to see whether he cleared the papers for the governor. (READ: Yet another twist in Joho’s degree saga)

A statement recorded on March 3 from the education council’s Internal auditor Walter Nono, said: “Some time ago, I read in newspapers about the academic qualification of Joho and when I inquired from my colleagues in the office, I was informed that the matter was referred to another arm of government. Recently, I again read newspaper claims that the executive director of the National Council for Higher Education had cleared Joho A. Hassan as having genuine academic qualification from Kampala University.”

Last December, Prof Opuda wrote to the Ministry of Education indicating that council had cleared Mr Joho after being satisfied that his degree was dully awarded and urged police to halt their investigations. (READ: Joho lied about degree, voter claims)

On Monday, police questioned Prof Opudo over the issue. He could not be reached for comment on Wednesday as his mobile phone was off.

Mr Phenny Birungi, the director Research, Development & Documentation at the education council, said in his statement that they were still waiting for a report from investigators. The other three council members who recorded statements were Faridah Bukirwa, the legal officer, Arthur Muguzi (principal finance officer) and Mr Acato Yeko (HR director).

According to a legal opinion by Lex Uganda Advocates & Solicitors, it is the mandate of Accreditation & Quality Assurance Committee of the council to investigate academic qualifications not individual council members:

“No individual member of the council can take it upon himself/herself to clear academic papers questioned under an investigation without the knowledge or clearance of the council.” the legal opinion dated January 21 reads.

Prof Badru Katerega, the vice chancellor Kampala University, insists that Mr Joho earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a diploma in human resource at the university under the in-service programme.