Be accountable; avoid abuse of office – Vice Chancellor

Prof. Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya, the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, has urged staff to behave responsibly and avoid any misuse of office, warning that such misconduct could lead to serious consequences. He made these remarks while officiating at the Internal Audit Workshop, held in the CTF Auditorium 105 on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. With the increase in student enrolment, he emphasised the importance of all staff fulfilling their roles effectively. Prof. Katunguka emphasised the importance of ongoing accountability by fostering an environment that promotes ethical responsibility. He called for a mindset focused on delivering quality service. Furthermore, he recognised the progress Kyambogo University has achieved in its operations, attributing this to the development of various policies and guidelines that govern activities, as well as the decentralisation of risks and responsibilities to individual faculties.

He urged the deans to focus on effective teaching and learning by ensuring classes, examinations, and results are handled promptly through collaboration with all relevant staff. “As leaders, we must supervise all personnel who report to us and guarantee timely service delivery. It is crucial to exercise caution regarding accountability and the potential misuse of office, which can lead to significant issues at any point, whether you remain in office or not. When you hold a position of responsibility, it is essential to take charge,” he emphasised.

He also encouraged researchers to focus their efforts on societal issues, identifying problems and developing solutions. He stressed the importance of avoiding plagiarism and maintaining high standards in their research. Furthermore, he noted that failure to provide proper accountability could result in salary deductions.

In his welcoming remarks, CPA Ashim Tumweboneire, the Chief Internal Auditor, emphasised that the purpose of auditing is to add sustainable value and provide guidance on appropriate processes. He noted that to deliver effective services, they require support from both administrative and academic partners. He highlighted the independence of Internal Audit, which allows them to fulfil their roles and responsibilities autonomously. He cautioned that failing to perform these roles can lead to control risks and inefficiencies. Without identifying these inefficiencies, management may remain unaware of the areas in need of improvement.

In his concluding remarks, the VC stressed the importance of a change in mindset. Naturally, human beings are sinners, and that is why we need policies and guidelines to streamline our operations. Human beings can be tricky; therefore, we must enforce guidelines. We must be prepared to compete in this competitive world, or we risk falling behind.

Tags: accountability, ethical leadership, higher education Uganda, Internal Audit Workshop, Kyambogo University, Prof. Eli Katunguka, staff responsibility