UMI: Nepotism, corruption and abuse of office turns UMI into a money making machine for top officials, IGG set to intervene

A serious corruption storm is brewing at the Uganda Management Institute (UMI) after a whistleblower came forward with explosive details of alleged nepotism, embezzlement and abuse of office involving top officials at the institute!

This comes days after top managers of yet another government owned institute Makerere Business School (MUBS) are facing charges related to corruption , nepotism , embezzlement and abuse of office!
Former Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal, Professor Waswa Balunywa, and the institution’s Chief Quality Assurance Officer, (Human resource manager) Jacqueline Namaganda, were charged with multiple counts of abuse of office and neglect of duty for allegedly hiring unqualified staff, according to a police charge sheet sanctioned by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The charge sheet, dated February 20, 2025, details that Prof. Balunywa faces three counts of abuse of office contrary to section 10(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap 116.

In the first count, prosecutors allege that “between 18th March 2023 and 28th March 2023 at Makerere University Business School Nakawa in Kampala city, whilst employed as the Principal of Makerere University Business School in abuse of the authority of his office did an arbitrary act and recruited Arike James as an Administrative Assistant well knowing that he did not have the minimum academic qualifications for the said position thereby creating ineligible costs and financial loss for the Government of Uganda. Ms. Namaganda, who at the time served as Acting Human Resource Director, is accused of three counts of neglect of duty contrary to section 101 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 128. In each case, similar to Ms. Maria Nalunga Kafeero of UMI , she allegedly “neglected her duty to evaluate the eligibility” of the same three appointees, resulting in their appointments.

At the center of yet another scandal at UMI is a one Ms. Maria Nalunga Kafeero the director human resource at this institute who is accused of masterminding questionable hiring of workers and award of job contracts for cash to both her relatives and those of some top officials at the institute without required qualifications at the time of hire.

This in the same line comes after a recent directive by the president to officials at CAA to dismiss over 150 unqualified staff at the airport but also charge and dismiss those who hired them into these offices! Most of them were relatives and friends who were employed after emerging as the highest bidders even with out the required academic qualifications. In a letter dated June 25, 2025, addressed to Works Minister Edward Katumba Wamala, Museveni expressed concern over “massive corruption” at the UCAA and called for the immediate dismissal of 152 unqualified staff identified in an internal probe following a whistle blower hint to the state house anti corruption unit. He also demanded that those responsible for recruiting them be fired and later charged for financial loss.

The whistleblower further points out that Ms. Maria Nalunga Kafeero’s sister (Joan,) (second name withheld) also employed at UMI through the window is currently one of the top managers at the institute for more than 5 years back pocketing a fat salary but without proper qualifications “then” raising serious concerns about conflict of interest, abuse of office and nepotism!
The whistleblower reported the matter to top officials at the Ministry of Education and Sports, including the Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataha Museveni who are yet to reply and make a follow-up on the matter!
In his letter to the Minister of Education and Sports, the whistle blower calls for immediate disciplinary action against Ms. Maria Nalunga Kafeero and others at UMI under the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, particularly Section F-s (14), which provides for immediate interdiction of civil servants suspected of wrongdoing especially when their continued presence may hinder investigations.
The whistleblower is now seeking protection under the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2010, fearing retaliation from Ms. Maria Nalunga Kafeero and her group at UMI. He further emphasizes that if such massive abuse of public funds is left unchecked, it will continue to cripple service delivery and undermine public trust of this mighty institution.
When contacted for a comment on these allegations, Ms. Nalunga declined to say anything on the matter saying she was attending an important meeting!
OurReporter!