Striking Makerere Staff Anxious As University Demands Work Records

The demand for the timesheet compelled Joint Staff Association, which comprises the academic, administration and union staff, to strongly express reservations, citing intimidation by some managers.

MAKERERE | Anxiety has gripped Makerere University as management has requested all heads of departments to submit records of staff activity from last week, despite an ongoing strike by the Joint Staff Association over a pay dispute.

Last week, the Joint Staff Association, representing academic, administrative, and union staff, declared an industrial action due to disagreements with the university over salary harmonisation.

With no work being done, the management's demand for records has raised concerns among the staff, who view it as a form of intimidation.

"Dear HoDs, I have received instructions from the [University] Council to provide details of teaching on Thursday last week," reads a message from a college principal, as seen by The Nile Post.

"Please submit the course units taught and the lecturers who conducted classes, in a timetable format, by close of today [Tuesday] 6pm as the Council meeting is tomorrow [Wednesday] starting at 9am."

This demand prompted a strong reaction from the Joint Staff Association, which expressed outrage, stating that the request for timesheets was an attempt to coerce staff into resuming work without addressing their grievances.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 14, the staff association accused some senior managers of attempting to pressurise staff into abandoning their industrial action.

"Our attention has been drawn to requests for information on staff who are not teaching, under the pretext that the Council needs the same information," read the statement, signed by Muasa's Robert Kakuru, Masa's Bennet Magara, and union representative Isaac Okello.

The association also criticised the involvement of Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mukadasi Buyinza and University Librarian Ruth Nalumaga in the effort, which they claim violates the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act, 2006, and the Employment Act, 2006.

The leadership of the staff union suggested that the management’s request for work records could be a punitive measure. Makerere University's leadership has recently been criticised for issuing numerous suspension letters to staff members.

However, Professor Buyinza refuted these claims, stating that the request was part of the university's quality assurance process.

"Academic leaders are responsible for documenting and reporting on the delivery of teaching and learning services to students," he said.

The salary harmonisation issue has been a longstanding point of contention at Makerere. In April, the government allocated Shs12.6 billion towards salary harmonisation in the FY 2024/2025 budget.

While other public universities have already implemented these salary adjustments, Makerere has struggled to meet several deadlines, leaving staff frustrated.

University management has attributed the delays to the large number of staff involved.

"Staff salaries are paid via the Human Capital Management System, and harmonised salaries can only be implemented after the entire process is completed," said University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda.

Despite management's explanations, the staff union remains sceptical, accusing the administration of irregular demotions and manipulation of the harmonisation process.

They also claim, though without evidence, that some individuals within the management are misappropriating funds.

Mr Kiranda, in a statement issued on Monday, acknowledged issues with the harmonisation process, including misrepresentations and distortions.

He noted that the university management lacked the authority to alter the Ministry of Public Service's salary computations but confirmed that amendments to staff harmonisation letters were being implemented.

"The Directorate of Human Resources has already commenced the implementation process and is set to issue revised letters," Kiranda said.

As tensions mount, staff members continue to push for their demands to be met, while management insists that the process is ongoing and transparent. The situation remains volatile as both sides await the outcomes of further negotiations.