Makerere re-opening: Lecturers divided
Sep 22, 2011
MAKERERE University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) is divided over the re-opening of the University.
By C. Businge, J. Lule and B. Mayanja
MAKERERE University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) is divided over the re-opening of the University.
During a general assembly held on Thursday at the main hall, various senior lecturers suggested that the strike be called off since President Yoweri Museveni had showed a good will and commitment in handling their demands, while others insisted that they go on with the strike until their money is deposited on their account.
President Museveni last week ordered the Ministry of finance to pay the sh16b which the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) owes Makerere after signing an agreement with the university and filing a suit against NIC to recover the money.
He also ordered for the payment of the arrears to the university staff.
The chairman of MUASA, Dr Tanga Odoi asked lecturers to be calm and wait for the outcome of the Presidents directive since the agreement was about to be signed.
“We should be appreciative that the President has showed his will to make sure that we are sorted out. What is delaying is us signing the agreement and our legal team to file a suit against NIC,†Odoi noted.
The deputy secretary to the treasury, Keith Muhakanizi asked lecturers to remain calm, saying that their money will be processed immediately after the President assents to the budget.
Muhakanizi explained that the money will be paid using supplementary budgets since it had not been budgeted for in this financial year.
But Prof. Jean Barya who is on the negotiating team stressed that the strike should go on until the agreement is signed.
The dean faculty of law, Ben Twinomugisha said the strike should be called off since an agreement was in place.
“We should get back to our classes since government has shown commitment and agreement in place.
Whether it is singed or not my faculty will resume lectures next week because we are left with only two months to exams and my final students have to do to prepare for entry exams at the Law Development Center,†he said.
Prof Julius Kizza, from the Faculty of Socials Sciences, said agreements are not sufficient, stressing that the strike should continue until the money is sent to the account.
MAKERERE University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) is divided over the re-opening of the University.
During a general assembly held on Thursday at the main hall, various senior lecturers suggested that the strike be called off since President Yoweri Museveni had showed a good will and commitment in handling their demands, while others insisted that they go on with the strike until their money is deposited on their account.
President Museveni last week ordered the Ministry of finance to pay the sh16b which the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) owes Makerere after signing an agreement with the university and filing a suit against NIC to recover the money.
He also ordered for the payment of the arrears to the university staff.
The chairman of MUASA, Dr Tanga Odoi asked lecturers to be calm and wait for the outcome of the Presidents directive since the agreement was about to be signed.
“We should be appreciative that the President has showed his will to make sure that we are sorted out. What is delaying is us signing the agreement and our legal team to file a suit against NIC,†Odoi noted.
The deputy secretary to the treasury, Keith Muhakanizi asked lecturers to remain calm, saying that their money will be processed immediately after the President assents to the budget.
Muhakanizi explained that the money will be paid using supplementary budgets since it had not been budgeted for in this financial year.
But Prof. Jean Barya who is on the negotiating team stressed that the strike should go on until the agreement is signed.
The dean faculty of law, Ben Twinomugisha said the strike should be called off since an agreement was in place.
“We should get back to our classes since government has shown commitment and agreement in place.
Whether it is singed or not my faculty will resume lectures next week because we are left with only two months to exams and my final students have to do to prepare for entry exams at the Law Development Center,†he said.
Prof Julius Kizza, from the Faculty of Socials Sciences, said agreements are not sufficient, stressing that the strike should continue until the money is sent to the account.