November 28, 2023.
KAMPALA, Uganda | The High Court in Kampala recently dismissed an application by Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and Dr. Lyn Ossom, seeking to throw out a case filed against them by a former Makerere University student, Ikiring Judith Obore. The court ruled that there is a valid cause of action, allowing the case to proceed.
Ikiring Judith Obore filed a Civil Suit in 2018, alleging neglect of duty, manipulation of examination processes, abuse of trust, and victimization by Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and Dr. Lyn Ossom during her academic studies. The court rejected the application by Mamdani and Lyn, emphasizing that the suit alleges a breach of duty and discriminatory treatment, justifying its continuation.
The background of the case involves Ikiring Judith Obore being awarded a scholarship by the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) to pursue a Master of Philosophy/Doctor of Philosophy. Despite successfully completing the Master of Philosophy degree in 2017, her scholarship was suspended due to a late submission of her PhD proposal in September 2016.
Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and Dr. Lyn Ossom had argued that the suit was malicious, an abuse of court process, because it sought to hold them individually responsible for decisions taken by Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR).
Makerere University supported Ikiring Judith Obore, stating that guidance had been given to resolve the issues but was rejected by Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, rendering Ikiring Judith Obore unable to continue her studies.
The Hight court, presided over by Hon. Justice Boniface Wamala, clarified that the relationship between Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, Dr. Lyn Ossom and Ikiring Judith Obore was one of academic supervisors and supervisee. The judge highlighted that the applicants owed her a duty of care during her PhD proposal, and the allegations of breach of this duty, as outlined in the court documents, warranted further examination.
The case against Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and Dr. Lyn Ossom now proceeds, with Ikiring Judith Obore seeking compensation for the perceived injustices, including the loss of a scholarship, academic progress, and other opportunities.
This legal saga evokes memories of past controversies involving Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, particularly the 2016 directive to Dr. Stella Nyanzi to vacate her office at the Makerere Institute of Social Research. The incident sparked protests and eventually led to Dr. Nyanzi’s dismissal from the university. As the current proceedings unfold, the case highlights the intricate balance between academic responsibilities and student welfare within educational institutions.
