Makerere University Law Society has come out to demand that the university administrator who was this week suspended for allegedly sexually harassing a student be accorded his rights including the presumption of innocence.
On Tuesday, Makerere University suspended Kisuze Edward, a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Academic Registrar’s department at the university after allegations emerged that he had sexually abused a female student.
Njoroge Rachael Njeri, a former student at Makerere accuses Kisuze of forcing himself on her, grabbing her boobs and licking them against her will.
In a statement recorded by Njoroge at the Police, she said: “He also grabbed me and threw me on the file cabinets at the corner where my head was hurt by the files and he started kissing my thighs and he told me that he had to lick my vagina”.
The incident allegedly happened in Kisuze’s office where Njoroge had gone to pick her certified transcript and letter of recommendation.
Days after the allegations came out in the media, Makerere’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof William Bazeyo wrote a letter to the accused administrator suspending him from the university pending an investigation into the allegations.
Kisuze was also restrained from accessing the Senate Building where he works as well as interacting with students of the university pending the conclusion of the probe.
Yesterday, the New Vision reported that Kisuze had been arrested and was being detained at Wamdegeya Police Station over allegations of sexual harassment and being a public nuisance.
Now, the Makerere University Law Society has issued a statement condemning “all forceful sexyal acts against students by some lecturers and non teaching staff”. The Society termed such acts of harassment as disgraceful and despicable, and applauded Njoroge for her bravery in exposing Kisuze.
However, they have cautioned the university against denying Kisuze his constitutional rights, adding that he is innocent until proved otherwise.
“We caution the university and other stakeholders against violating Mr Kisuze’s constitutionally guaranteed rights which inter alia include presumption of innocence,” the statement by Kenneth Kiapi, the President of the Makerere Law Society states.
It adds: “We call on the administration to handle the matter expeditiously while according both parties a fair chance to advance their respective cases”.
In addition, the Law Society wants the students to push for tougher laws against cases of sexual harassment.
Just last month, Makerere University suspended Dr Swizen Kyomuhendo, a lecturer at the School of Social Sciences after he was accused of sexually harassing female students.