KAMPALA – Makerere University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has called upon the university staff members to return to their work ahead of the imminent 2019/2020 academic year.
Prof. Nawangwe made the alarm through a letter that he addressed to all the university staff members on Friday, August 2, 2019, asking them to get ready to receive the students who will urgently need their attention.
“I, therefore, call on all members of staff to report for duty accordingly and prepare to receive our students and provide the quality service they expect from us, as usual,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor’s letter is also published on the University’s official website.
PML Daily has learnt that the environment has not been very clear in public universities ahead of the new semester as staff members in these institutions decided to lay down their tools.
This website also understands that these workers have been demanding salary enhancements that have been long promised to them but never delivered.
At the beginning of the second semester of the 2018/2019 academic year, teachers under their umbrella of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) went on a sit-down strike for almost a month for matters concerning their salary enhancements and unpaid arrears.
The industrial action repurcations were dearly felt by the students who were piled with loads of course works, extra learning hours and eventually failed to adequately prepare for the end of semester examinations.
However, this time the Makerere Boss has assured all the university stakeholders that the Ivory Tower will be open for academic business without any impediments.
“I take this opportunity to inform all stakeholders that Makerere University will remain open for normal business and will open for freshers on 3rd August 2019 and for the continuing students on 10th August 2019 as scheduled,” reads part of his letter.
Concerning the salary enhancements of the staff, Nawangwe assured that the issues were being taken care of by government and UGX 15billion had already set aside to cater for increment in remunerations.
“Government has allocated the sum of UGX 15 billion for enhancement of salaries of staff of public universities in the FY 2019/20,” he said in the letter.
“Management, together with the other Vice-Chancellors of public universities will continue with engagements with Government in order to find a solution to the issue of the Presidential Pledge and other staff welfare issues.” He added.
PML Daily has seen a copy of the letter written by the Permanent Secretary of government on Thursday, August 1st, 2019 confirming the identification of UGX 15billion to enhance salaries in public universities and degree-awarding institutions.
According to the letter, the salary enhancement will take effect in the second quarter of this financial year.
The letter says that the Public Service and Education and Sports ministries will work closely with the educational institutions to ensure equitable distribution and allocation of the money.
