Makerere University Staff To Go on Strike Next Week

Mr Deus Muhwezi, the academic staff spokesperson, said yesterday that the staff resolved at the weekend that once the institution’s management doesn’t pay them, they will not administer end of semester exams.

The examinations begin on November 30 as the staff ultimatum expires on November 25.

“We have not been paid for the last four months. We have negotiated with management that the money be paid in installments but this has not materialised. This is money that was approved but they continue to prioritise their interests,” Mr Muhwezi said.

“We know the money is there. Management has just not followed what was agreed on. We have made a resolution and if we are not paid by November 25, we will convene again and not administer exams. We advise management to ensure they pay us before then,” he added.

Prof John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the Vice Chancellor, said the University Council instituted a committee to look into their financial obligations and advise accordingly. The committee is head by Mr Bruce Kabaasa, the university’s appointment’s board chairman.

“Council put in place a committee to look at our finances. There are other issues like our investment and the students’ numbers have gone really down. It is this report we are waiting for,” Prof Ddumba said.

Mr Kabaasa admitted they have not reviewed the university’s performance because of time.

“What is clear is that the university income has significantly reduced. It has gradually been reducing in the last three years partly because the number of students in some units who bring in the money has reduced,” Mr Kabaasa said.

Although he didn’t put a figure to it, Mr Kabaasa said the university has accumulated debts from unpaid service providers in the last 10 years.

The committee proposed, allowances totaling Shs25.1b be cut to Shs5b so that the balance goes to lecturers’ pay. Research which had been allocated Shs5biilion was reduced to Shs3b.

But Mr Muhwezi said while some proposals were effected, there are those which affected management but were not implemented. For instance, management continued to enjoy travel allowances.