Kyambogo staff suspends strike

By Innocent Anguyo

The striking Kyambogo University staff convenes for a general assembly to suspend their three-week industrial action that has paralyzed Uganda’s second largest public university.

Speaking to New Vision Monday morning, Dr. Charles Twesigye, the chairperson of the general assembly said the leaders of the staff will use the general assembly to convince their colleagues to suspend the strike and resume duty.

The decision to suspend the strike comes after an agreement between the leaders of the staff and Ministry of Education that took place on Sunday. According to Twesigye, the ministry agreed to address their grievances in exchange for the staff resuming work with immediate effect.

“We have organized this general assembly at 11:00am to persuade our colleagues to suspend the strike and start working for the interest of our students,” reiterated Dr Twesigye.

Kyambogo University end of semester examinations start in a week’s time while graduation is slated for mid-December.
However, the staff will only work until January 11 2014, when the contract of Vice Chancellor Prof Isaiah Omolo Ndiege elapses.

Meanwhile, thousands of Kyambogo University students early this morning convened in front of the institution’s administration block demanding that they be sent home since lecturers have not resumed work as directed by Cabinet.
The students were chanting in unison, “we want to go home if there are no lectures,” and “we are tired of this situation.”  

However, following news that the staff are set to call off their strike, most of the students have since stopped shouting and resorted to gossiping in groups on the prospects of lectures resuming immediately after the staff’s assembly.