Victoria university has made a U-turn following criticism from a section of the public on its appointment of Sharitah Namuyimbwa also known as Bad Black as their brand ambassador.
In a twist of events, the university says Black is a student not a brand ambassador.
While addressing the media, the vice-chancellor of Victoria University, Dr Lawrence Muganga, said Bad Black is pursuing Digital Marketing and English lessons not a brand ambassador.
He said the university is helping her to realise her dream of becoming a digital marketer and English guru.
“Ms Shanitah has a goal of becoming a fluent English speaker and Digital marketing guru and that’s how Victoria University comes to help her, the courses she is to take are to improve and make her a better person in the English language and Digital marketing,” He said.
However a contract that was shared on Monday by Bad Black on her social media platforms, shows that the university hired her as a Brand Ambassador to market the university and its activities.
“The services shall commence on 27/09/2021 and shall end on 27/09/2022, Victoria University, shall subject to the terms and conditions hereof, engage the brand ambassador to market the brand as determined by Victoria University,” part of the contract signed by the VC Victoria University and Bad Black read.
The contract runs for a year with an option of renewal.
Bad Black through her social media platforms also shared the contract and captioned, “I can’t explain but coming live to address in English as I am the official brand ambassador of Victoria university, I am so happy for my children getting a bursary for international schools,” she posted.
She further stated, “Yes small books Vs big books, how come your big books didn’t land you on such a gig from today address me as Miss Ambassador Victoria University Kampala.”
Mixed Reactions.
The appointment divided people’s opinions many questioning how a university can appoint a self proclaimed prostitute as a brand ambassador while others were in tandem.
Timothy kalyegira said, by appointing Bad Black, the University made a blunder of the year.
“There are areas like banking, law, medicine and education where most people worldwide are sensitive to reputation, Which serious parent would pay tuition fees at a university associated with Bad Black? And employers, Blunder of the year by Victoria University,” he said.
Communications Expert and Consultant, Sarah Kagingo said a brand ambassador, embodies corporate identity, values and demeanour.
“A brand ambassador is enlisted to represent a brand in positive light, and by doing so, help to increase brand awareness and drive sales. The brand ambassador embodies corporate identity, values and demeanor,” She said.
James Setaala said, “There is no explanation that can justify badblack as brand ambassador for a higher institution of learning. If it were a beer brand, shoe collection or perfume I would understand and this is not about righteousness.”
Israel Philip on Twitter said “Full figure and Butchaman are presidential advisors And it’s at Badblack where you draw the line,”
Celebrated News anchor Samson kasumba commenting on the same said without much effort Bad Black had finished her task of Promoting Victoria University.
“Without much effort Bad Black has just finished her task of promoting Victoria University. She has passed the test with flying colours. Give me a name of someone else who would have done this, and given the University this talk ability in terms of real numbers on day one. Just 1,” he said.
He added, “You can go anywhere you want, give all sorts of reasons why you think that you are better than her, list the good things you do that she does not, or the bad things she does you don’t, one fact remains: none of is is righteous before God. That is the end of the story Amen.”
However the University says, their job is to transform and rehabilitate those that desperately need to become better people saying Bad Black is a better example of such people that need urgent help to transform themselves.
