Armed men disruptes UDS Council meeting to appoint VC
A crucial meeting of the University for Development Studies (UDS) Council to appoint a new Vice Chancellor was abruptly disrupted on Monday, April 13, after unidentified armed men stormed the venue, according to sources cited by African Editors.
Key decision interrupted midway
The Council had convened to deliberate on three shortlisted candidates for the top leadership position. Members were in the process of selecting one candidate when the unexpected interruption occurred in the afternoon, halting proceedings at a critical moment.
Armed men force meeting to end
Eyewitness accounts indicate that several unidentified men entered the meeting location and declared that they would not permit the Council to proceed with the appointment. Tensions escalated when it was observed that at least two of the intruders were carrying pistols.
“They walked straight to the Chairman,” a source revealed. “He then placed a call to someone we couldn’t identify, and shortly after, the meeting was brought to an abrupt end.”
Questions over security and possible leak
The incident has raised serious concerns about security arrangements and the apparent breach of confidentiality. One source questioned how the armed individuals were able to locate the meeting venue so precisely.
“My question is, how did they know where the meeting was being conducted, and where was the security?” the source asked. “I believe it was planned.”
Echoes of a previous incident
This is not the first time such a disruption has occurred during a Vice Chancellor appointment process at UDS. A similar incident was reported in 2021, raising concerns about recurring vulnerabilities.
“From what happened in 2021, they should have beefed up security to ensure this doesn’t repeat again,” the source added.
Growing concern over institutional integrity
The repeated interference in such a high-level decision-making process has sparked concerns about governance and institutional autonomy at UDS. Observers say the latest incident underscores the urgent need for tighter security measures and greater transparency to safeguard the integrity of the university’s leadership selection process.
