Lecturers of Makerere University went on a sit-down strike yesterday, citing lack of teaching materials and protesting the diversion of pension funds to pay salaries, reports F. Asimbisibwe.

A spokesman for the lecturers, Kiggundu Musoke, said members who had retired had not been paid because sh6b in pension contributions had been diverted.

“How can we continue teaching when our money is being swindled?” he asked.

Although the second semester opened on Saturday, with at least 10,000 students, lecture rooms were empty last evening.

“We will not teach until the university council provides teaching materials,” Kiggundu added.

He noted that even stationery and information technology facilities had not been provided despite a request to the council, the highest policy organ, to “urgently attend to the issues”.

The lecturers also accused the management of not transferring money to the faculties, which they said had made it difficult for them to operate.

Non-teaching allowances and payment for part-time lecturers had not been made for one year, they complained. The strike was agreed during a heated meeting at the School of Education.

But Vice-Chancellor Prof. Livingstone Luboobi said he had not received an official communication from MUASA, the lecturers’ umbrella group.

Nevertheless, he promised to address the issue.

The council is expected to sit today over the matter, a source said.

In a separate development, the education ministry announced that selection of Senior Five students would start today at the Mandela Sports Stadium in Namboole, Wakiso district.

The students are expected to report to school on February 18.

The cut-off points are expected to be lower this year since the performance was poorer than the previous year.

Last year, top schools admitted only students who had between aggregate eight, the best possible, and 15.

Kings’ College Budo took boys at 10 and girls at aggregate 16.

On the other hand, St. Mary’s College Kisubi accepted candidates with 14, Gayaza High School, 15 and Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga, 12.

Last year, 40,000 students were admitted in the 622 government-aided schools and 15,000 in private schools.