Makerere University staff associations announce strike over suspension of colleagues

As the new semester opens, three Makerere University staff associations have announced a sit down strike following the suspension of some of their colleagues.

A number of senior staff at the university have in the past two months been either dismissed or suspended by the university council.

In a statement released on Sunday, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) and Makerere University Administrative Staff Association (MASA) have announced that their members have withdrawn their services to the university over a number of issues including suspension of colleagues over unknown reasons.

“We reaffirm the resolution on the withdrawal of labour with effect from January 18 until our demands are met. We also denounce in the strongest term possible, the suspension of another association leader Dr.Deus Kamunyu, the MUASA chairperson,” reads in part the statement.

At the end of last year, the country’s oldest university announced it had sacked over 45 teaching staff over a number of issues ranging from absconding from duty, failure to complete studies, financial fraud to insubordination, among others.

Last week, the university Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe suspended the MUASA) chairperson, Dr Deus Kamunyu over indiscipline.

The Makerere University staff say that on top of sacking their colleagues, it was wrong for the university to also suspend others over unknown reasons.

They say they will not offer their services to the university until their grievances have been looked into by management.

Demands

The university staff associations now demand the removal of Thomas Tayebwa and Bruce Kabaasa from the University Council saying it flouted their appointment was illegal.

“We also demand for the reinstatement of our suspended leaders Bennet Magara(MASA), Joseph Kalema(MASA) and Dr.Deus Kamunyu,”the statement further reads.

They also want Ruth Iteu allowed to represent MASA on the university council among other demands.

Prof.Nawangwe recently said he will not tolerate indiscipline at the oldest university in Uganda adding that he will not stop cracking the whip on anyone who misbehaves.

‘’I have seen many people abuse me but I have kept quiet. Calling me a dictator is done by people who want to go away with impunity and think it is the right thing to do. There is need to have sanity at the university,”Nawangwe said recently.

He was backed by President Museveni who applauded him for sacking errant lecturers from the university.

“I must congratulate Prof Barnabas Nawangwe and the University Council for being decisive in disciplining staff. Decadence should not be part of a university,”Museveni said early this week during the university’s graduation ceremony.