Summary:
- Niwemwungeri, who was set to graduate alongside 561 other students on November 15, 2024, says that just two days before the ceremony, the administration informed her that she was ineligible to graduate due to issues with validating her Rwandan academic credentials.
KABALE: A student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) – Bishop Barham University College in Kabale District, Isabella Niwemwungeri, has expressed her intention to take legal action against the institution after being denied graduation.
Niwemwungeri, who was set to graduate alongside 561 other students on November 15, 2024, says that just two days before the ceremony, the administration informed her that she was ineligible to graduate due to issues with validating her Rwandan academic credentials.
Through her legal representatives, Beitwenda and Co. Advocates, Niwemwungeri has issued a formal notice outlining her claims against the university, which is recognized as Uganda’s largest Christian institution.
According to the notice, Niwemwungeri enrolled in the Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Project Planning program at Bishop Barham University College in September 2015. She successfully completed the course and graduated on October 5, 2018. In May 2022, she applied for and was admitted to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program, with the registration number M22/BBUC/BBA/011.
Despite these challenges, the university confirmed her eligibility, and Niwemwungeri successfully completed the Bachelor’s program. Her name appeared on the university’s tentative graduation lists issued on October 26 and November 5, 2024.Niwemwungeri claims that the university failed in its duty by admitting her to the program, allowing her to complete her studies, and only disqualifying her at the last moment, despite prior clearances.
CUE IN NIWEMWUNGERI….ON COMPENSATION……ENG//
Counsel Bruno Kukundakwe of Beitwenda and Co. Advocates stated that they are seeking compensation of 350 million Ugandan shillings for the damages incurred, in addition to 5 million shillings to cover legal costs.
He further indicated that if the seven-day notice period expires without a satisfactory response, they would proceed to court to seek compensation for time lost, financial loss, and the distress caused by the university’s actions.
CUE IN COUNSEL KUKUNDAKWE…..ON NOTICE……..ENG//
However, Bishop Barham University College, through its lawyer, Counsel Rodgers Bikangiso of Bikangiso and Co. Advocates confirmed receipt of the notice of intention to sue saying that the University Management would convene to review the matter and determine an appropriate response.
Counsel Bikangiso said that the student in question has been presented with two options to either proceed with legal action against the university, or return to the institution and repeat her studies at a free cost.
CUE IN COUNSEL BIKANGISO……ON RESPONSE……ENG//
