Days after Makerere University terminated 32 members of staff, the affected have vowed to challenge the institution in courts of law. These claim it is malice, unjust and irregular for the institution to take such an impactful decision without necessary precautions.
According to a joint statement from; Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) , Makerere University Administration Staff Association (MASA) and the National Union of Education Institutions (NUEI), the decision to terminate staff is an act of provocation intended to annoy us and threaten us into submission to bad management and clandestine practices that have now become a norm.
“We are distressed by such a decision well aware that the list is a tactical mixture of what seem to be genuine cases and violations of basic rights of Staff,” the statement reads in part.
The associations called upon all affected staff to remain calm and use the festive season to prepare for appeals.
“We have scheduled an interaction with the 47 affected staff on 2/01/2019 in order to understand the cases and advise accordingly. The interaction will be at the Senior Staff Club from 10am,” the statement continued.
These also want the University tribunal to get involved in the matter.
“We want the tribunal to sit and listen to these people. This should not be happening in a fair and progressing institution, this should not be happening to them,” Bernard Mwavu, MUASA Vice Chairperson said.
Stella Nyanzi’s lawyer, Isaac Ssemakade said his client would definitely challenge this decision.
“I urge every other affected member of this list, to take appropriate measures to challenge this stupidity,” he said.
According to Ssemakade, there was no meeting convened to conduct a trial on such allegations.
“Makerere University has maliciously taken this step, it is in contempt of court and court processes and I am sure the High Court will have to deal with this,” Ssemakade said.
However, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Barnabas Nawangwe insisted that everyone was contacted and given enough time to appear before the board.
“Everything which could be done was done, all efforts and options were exhausted.”
