Makerere university council has reviewed employment terms for senior staff members and resolved to keep professors working until they're 80 years of age.
This resolution is included in a letter dated 25th July 2022 by the University Secretary, Yusuf Kiranda.
In the letter, Kiranda informs the university bursar, Director of Human resources, and Director of Legal Affairs that the University council resolved on June 22, 2022 to review a policy on post-retirement contracts for Professors and Associate Professors.
Professors may be given post-retirement contracts of up to 80 years and associate professors of up to 70.
The policy proposal also calls for considering post-retirement contracts for non-teaching staff.
It also proposes considering evidence of participation in curriculum review and mentorship as a requirement for post-retirement contracts.
In his communication, Kiranda asks the Finance planning administration, investment committee, and the legal rules and privileges committee to develop fresh implementation guidelines that will be considered by the council.
Kiranda says this will allow the university to retain productive talents and resourceful academics.
This development comes after the reappointment of Prof Barnabas Nawangwe as the vice-chancellor on the 12th of August. Nawangwe’s appointment was opposed because of his age by some of the university staff as his term was set to expire on August 31, 2022.
A section of Makerere staff led by associate Prof Jude Ssempebwa and Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi petitioned the University Council to challenge the re-appointment.
Previously, Associate Professors have been given a contract up to the age of 65 years broken into two (3,2) to allow for review with the first contract being 3 years and the second one 2 years; and Full Professors given contracts up to the age 70 years broken into three (4,4,2) for review with the first contract being 4 years, the second contract being 4 years and third contract 2 years.
