Dr. Busingye Kabumba, a lecturer at Makerere University’s Faculty of Law, is under investigation after including a contentious question about Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among in a recent final exam.
The question referenced recent controversies involving Speaker Among and has sparked a review of its appropriateness and adherence to academic standards.
The exam question presented a hypothetical scenario where Speaker Among introduces a bill titled the “Anti-Social Media and Other Imperialist Agents Bill,” in response to sanctions from the United Kingdom and social media criticism. The bill’s provisions included prohibiting adverse comments about the Speaker and imposing severe penalties for violations, including a new tribunal to enforce the law. The scenario also involved a protest by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi, which led to his expulsion from the House and subsequent legal action against him and social media activists.
This exam question has prompted Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe to request an urgent investigation.
In a letter to the principal of the school of law, Prof. Nawangwe stated:
“This is to request you to call an emergency meeting of the School Academic Board to investigate the above-captioned paper and to specifically address:
- Whether the paper meets the minimum academic standards of Makerere as a premier university;
- Whether there are ethical issues that fall below expected standards. Please investigate also the past three papers set by the same examiner. You are required to submit a report to the Chairperson of Senate for discussion at the meeting of Senate on 21st May 2024.”
The investigation will scrutinize whether Dr. Kabumba’s exam question meets the academic standards of Makerere University and if it breaches any ethical guidelines. The review will also extend to the last three exam papers he set.
Dr. Kabumba’s question has ignited debate about academic freedom and the role of hypothetical scenarios in law education. Supporters argue that such scenarios are crucial for engaging students in real-world legal issues and critical thinking.
However, critics contend that the specific references to a sitting political figure and current controversies might compromise the impartiality expected in academic settings.
The controversial exam question has not only brought to light the complexities of balancing educational content with political sensitivity but also raised concerns over the academic oversight within one of Africa’s most prestigious universities.
The outcome of this investigation could set a precedent for how political scenarios are handled in academic examinations moving forward.
