**Attorney General Declares Eli Katunguka’s NCHE Board Chairmanship Illegal**

**Kampala, Uganda -** In a recent communication to Janet Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sports, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka has declared that Eli Katunguka is unlawfully occupying the position of board chairperson of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). Kiryowa emphasized that reappointing Katunguka without proper procedure would be erroneous.

**Flawed Discoveries and Legal Concerns**

Katunguka, also the vice chancellor of Kyambogo University, has been NCHE chairperson since 2019, with his term expiring on March 21, 2024. After applying for reappointment to President Museveni, who did not object on May 6, Kiryowa pointed out the irregularities in the process. He highlighted that it was improper for Katunguka to directly request the president for renewal, deeming the process flawed and illegal.

Kiryowa’s letter notes that Katunguka’s initial appointment was as a representative of public university senates, a mandate which has since expired. Katunguka’s attempt to be reappointed based on support from the Vice Chancellors Forums of Public Universities is problematic, as Prof. Joy Kawesiga already represents the vice chancellors on the board.

According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), in the absence of a substantive chairperson, the vice chairperson of the council, currently Prof. Kwesiga of Kabale University, should preside over council meetings.

**Legal Issues Raised**

The Attorney General further asserts that there is no evidence of a convened meeting of vice chancellors to appoint Katunguka as their representative. For Katunguka to be reappointed as chairperson, he must be a council member and recommended to the president, per Section 7(2) of UOTIA. The NCHE is required to hold a quorum-based meeting to vote on which two members should be recommended to the president for appointment as chairperson.

Efforts to reach Dr. Kwesiga or Prof. Okwakol, the NCHE executive director, were unsuccessful at press time.