Over 500 Makerere staff jobs at risk in major restructuring

KAMPALA - The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure that the impending restructuring process of Makerere University staff is conducted in accordance with the law. 

This followed a petition from Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (FDC), who raised concern about the process in Parliament during the plenary on Thursday (April 10, 2025). 

Ssemujju told the House that he was informed by some university staff that the university is going to restructure and about 500 staff are about to lose their jobs. 

“Their complaints were about the manner in which it was being done and the selection of who will be affected. I request that Government briefs Parliament on that restructuring that is going to cause us problems,” he said. 

In response, Tayebwa said: “We are not going to be interfering with the day-to-day running of government agencies. Let’s give them a chance if there are any complaints, but the minister of education should take note so that the process is as transparent as possible in case it is being done because there must be a reason why government institutions are doing what they are doing in that line.” 

He added: “But I take your point of saying in case they are doing it, there must be fairness and there must be merit in whatever they are doing. So, I want us to concentrate on the budget process in this period, but I want to promise that I am going to take keen interest in the matter and liaise with the minister.” 

When contacted, Makerere University vice-chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe confirmed the restructuring process, but said it will mainly affect non-teaching staff, especially the cleaners and guards. 

He said the process is meant to streamline the university systems to make them more efficient in order to support its research-led agenda. Nawangwe said it will involve outsourcing non-core functions, including cleaning and guarding services.

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe

Consultative process 

“It is true, but the consultative process has commenced with the ministries of finance and public service, as well as the staff who will be affected and it will be done in line with the law. The public and all the stakeholders will be informed on the progress regarding this matter,” he said. 

The university employs over 1,700 people in support staff roles. This includes roles like administrative staff, maintenance personnel and other support functions that are crucial for the university’s operations. 

Bruce Twesigye, the general secretary of Public Universities Non-Teaching Staff Executives’ Forum, said although he had not heard about the restructuring, it would be unfortunate when the Government has just harmonised the salary payments of the support staff. 

“It’s very unfortunate that the restructuring is always targeting the lower cadres. But outsourcing services at the university has always failed because the university never pays people on time,” he said. 

Twesigye said most support staff joined the university in 1980 and some in 1990s and have been upgrading yet there is no space for career growth. 

“We have so many support staff such as cleaners, guards who have bachelors’ and masters’ degrees, but because there’s no space for growth, they have remained in the same position for years. It is unfortunate now they are thinking of retrenching them,” he said. 

Makerere University Administrative Staff Association chairperson Bennet Magara said as an association, they had not heard about restructuring. 

“We had not heard about it but if it is to be done, let it be done in a fair and transparent manner. There should be wide consultation and proper information fl ow so that the staff affected are mentally prepared because losing a job is not a simple thing,” he said. 

Magara, however, noted that at Makerere University, there have been challenges in regard to human resource management whereby there has been a tendency of shifting goalposts and non-compliance with the human resource provisions and employment laws. 

“They advertise jobs and later the adverts are withdrawn without any explanations. They have also put staff on contract without giving them gratuity and yet staff in other universities are on permanent terms,” he said. 

Makerere University Academic Staff Association chairman Dr Robert Kakuru said although he is not aware of any restructuring being implemented at the university, he is aware that the University Council approved a new structure that took effect January 1, 2025. 

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa

“About the staff losing jobs, I am not aware because the structure was developed in a way that it would accommodate all the staff in post. Even if the number of positions changed, it would not mean that the staff would lose jobs. But if there’s a new development where staff are going to lose jobs, we strongly object to that and we shall reject it so that no one will lose a job,” he said. 

Asked whether the staff were consulted or sensitised about the new structure, Kakuru said the process was done ‘clandestinely’ and the staff were never consulted.

Government-aided schools  

During the plenary, David Bahati, the state minister for industry, pledged to transmit to relevant authorities a complaint by William Chemonges (Kween County, NRM) about delays in aiding a secondary school in his constituency. 

“This is a school that has now taken about 30 years that was started by the community and the school now has 924 students. The community have been struggling, they constructed almost all the classrooms. The same sub-county does not have any other government secondary school. It is now almost 10 years when all the leaders from Kween have been pushing for the grant-aiding of this school because teachers who have been there, have taught for 15 years are now even old and they have been there teaching almost with no pay in hope that Government will take them up and put them on payroll,” Chemonges said.

A secondary school for each sub-county 

“From the reports we have, we have made good progress. I think we are now at 60 or 70%. I will check with the member, but also inform the ministry of education about this requirement to cross-check with him whether the sub-county has a secondary school or you need an additional one because of the community effort. The ministry of education will be informed accordingly and get in touch with you about the matter,” Bahati assured. 

What Lorna Magara says 

The University Council chairperson, Lorna Magara, told New Vision on phone that the process which is being referred to as restructuring was actually part of the lengthy harmonisation process that involved the ministries of public service and education, staff and staff associations. 

“Those are the structures that came up as a result of the harmonisation process and it was across all public universities. Makerere does not create its own structures. It works with what the Government has set. But in case you need details, you can consult the university’s accounting officer,” she said.