Kampala university disowns Mohamed Mahamud's papers

What you need to know:

  • The governor is fighting to prove to judges that he was a Bachelor of Business Administration student at the university from 2009 to 2012.
  • Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs now says Mahamud never travelled to the country at the time he claims to have been studying.

Uganda has refuted claims by Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mahamud that he studied at Kampala International University.

The governor is fighting to prove to judges that he was a Bachelor of Business Administration student at the university from 2009 to 2012.

Mr Mahamud went to the Supreme Court to contest a decision by the Court of Appeal, which upheld the High Court’s nullification of his August 8, 2017 victory.

The two courts said Mr Mahamud does not have the mandatory qualifications for such a job.

Mr Mahamud’s predecessor Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamad, who came second in the election, challenged the results saying, his rival’s academic papers are forged.

TRAVEL RECORD

The Supreme Court allowed him to table new evidence supporting his claims.

Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs now says Mr Mahamud never travelled to the country at the time he claims to have been studying.

“We have established no record of travel into and out of Uganda during the said period … as per the details provided in the letter,” Ms Lynette Bridget Boganza, for the Internal Affairs Permanent Secretary, said in an October 22 communication.

The letter was in response to Mr Mahamud’s October 17 inquiry through his lawyer Omwanza Ombati, which now forms the basis of his replying affidavit at the Supreme Court to disapprove the degree claims.

“We write to inquire whether Mr Mahamud indeed travelled to Uganda during that period. Provide us with itinerary, student pass or travel details,” Mr Mohamad’s letter to the Ugandan authorities read.

EVIDENCE

The former governor argues that his rival’s journeys into and out of Uganda are central to the suit.

Mr Mohamad wants the court to uphold the decision of the High Court and that of the Court of Appeal on the basis of another affidavit by Mr Timothy Sato, the university’s programme coordinator and assistant academic registrar.

Mr Sato said every student at the programme was required to attend classes for four weeks, three times a year during holidays.

Justices David Maraga, Philomena Mwilu, Mohamed Ibrahim, JB Ojwang’ Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u and Isaac Lenaola said additional evidence sought to be introduced are his academic, education and employment records.