The Makerere University Business School (MUBS) has come under fire for spending millions of shillings on a half-page advert in The New Vision, congratulating Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba for making one year as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
In the advertorial message from MUBS Principal Prof Moses Muhwezi, the business institution lauded the general for his “exceptional leadership, hard work, dedication, and commitment to professionalism…” among other attributes.
The advert carried a picture of Muhoozi on the right-hand side and that of Muhwezi on the left. According to Vision Group’s advertising rate card, the half-page advert cost MUBS at least Shs 4.5 million.
Some argued on social media that MUBS spent money on a partisan cause.
Others claimed that Prof Muhwezi was trying to warm his way into Gen Muhoozi’s heart, probably to fortify his position. Muhwezi was appointed MUBS principal in November last year replacing Prof Wasswa Balunywa who had served in the position for close to three decades.
However, many others pointed out that MUBS did not extend the same courtesy to former holders of the position like Gen Wilson Mbadi and Gen David Muhoozi when they made one year in office.
Peter Odoki, the Public Relations Manager of MUBS, defended the decision in a telephone interview with Bbeg Media.
Odoki said MUBS was trying to support another government institution (The New Vision) in these economically woeful times.
“MUBS is a public institution and we were supporting another public institution, New Vision. It was money well spent,” Odoki said.
