Kyambogo takes steps to reduce student strikes

May 15, 2015

KYAMBOGO University top management has embarked on a plan to reduce strikes that have characterized the institution since it became a university in 2003

By Francis Emorut

 

KYAMBOGO University top management has embarked on a plan to reduce strikes that have characterized the institution since it became a university in 2003.

 

The plan includes training the top administrators in conflict resolution and working in harmony to build the university.

 

"We identified the gaps and areas where we are deficient, in the way we do things in appointments board, tribunal, council and top management and decided to undergo training," Prof. Eli Katunguka the Vice chancellor of Kyambogo University said.

 

He pointed out that the university which is 12 years old has suffered negative publicity and therefore, the need to improve its image.

 

The appointments board, the tribunal, council and top management had to undergo training in discipline and grievance handling as well as governance and organizational change.

 

"We hope to get much better unified university with minimum strives, minimum conflicts and minimum strikes and allowing students to study so that they graduate within the time allocated for their programmes," Katunguka said.

 

The training was conducted by Civil Service College Uganda (CSCU) by experts in conflict resolution and good governance in Jinja.

 

The vice chancellor noted that the ideal situation is to see more peaceful learning and teaching environment at the university.

 

Katunguka blasted at those critiquing the university that it should revert back to a polytechnic and teachers training institution saying they are lagging behind the new developments taking place at the university.

 

He pointed out that problems the university was facing are not related to the merger but blamed the previous management under the former vice chancellor Prof. Omolo Ndiege.

 

"People who think that we should go back are lagging behind the history. We shall not go back to where it was, instead we need support from everybody and very little negative criticism," he said.

 

He said the new developments in the university include introduction of arts and social sciences, school of management and entrepreneurship and faculty of vocational studies and others.

 

He explained that the university is in the process to expand its infrastructure with the help from African Development Bank loan to a tune of $28m (about sh84b).  

 

The chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera recently said that since the university has failed to take off due to conflicts it should revert back to its former status.

 

The chairman of Kyambogo University Council, Prof. John Okedi implored the institution's top management not to spend much time worrying about the negative publicity but should concentrate on teaching and do research.

 

"Don't spend too much time worrying about negative reports in the media. There is no university which has no problems," Prof. Okedi said.

 

The acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Adah Muwanga encouraged Kyambago University top leadership to be firm and concentrate on doing right things.

 

"Don't waste time thinking about negative publicity in the media, but concentrate on doing things right," Muwanga said.

 

She made the remarks during the closing of the three-day induction training at Civil Service College Uganda in Jinja.

 

The acting director of the College Enock Mutambi urged the council, tribunal and appointments board to improve on how to handle disputes in the institute to avoid negative publicity.

 

The training was attended by chairperson of the university tribunal Elijah Wante, the university council chairman, Prof. Okedi, the vice chancellor Prof. Katunguka, director of human resource, Godfrey Tumwesigye, academic registrar and top management.

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