Makerere Students Go Hungry
Mar 29, 2004
OVER 5,000 students at Makerere University yesterday went without meals as the non-teaching staff went on strike demanding increment in their salaries.
By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
and Pidson Kareire
OVER 5,000 students at Makerere University yesterday went without meals as the non-teaching staff went on strike demanding increment in their salaries.
Lectures were suspended after employees refused to report to their work stations.
There was panic at the university in the morning as lecturers pleaded with students to keep out of the mess. Startled students stood in front of the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences.
Hundreds of non-resident students were stranded outside the lecture rooms, which were still closed by 11:00am. The library was still closed by midday.
There was no activity in most of the nine halls of residence.
The lavatories were not cleaned and there was no sign of cooking apart from University Hall where the students prepared their meal of rice and beans. Other kitchens at the university were deserted.
The university secretary, Sam Byanagwa, was locked up in a crisis meeting with the leaders of the over 300 workers. They had not arrived at a compromise until the meeting was called off late afternoon.
“We are progressing in trying to solve this matter. We are studying the demands of these people. We shall solve it amicably once and for all,†Byanagwa said.
The mood at the campus was sombre as the students returned to the dining rooms only to find dirty saucepans.
Over 200 employees gathered at the University Union offices speaking in low tones. Most of them looked angry.
The strike almost went violent after some attempted to stop others from working. Most workers accused the university administrators of being adamant despite last week’s warning of an imminent strike. Police was deployed to maintain order.
James Okello, the chairman of the union, told the workers yesterday afternoon that they were negotiating for a pay rise.
“We are still pressing for our rights but this will be successful if you stay calm and peaceful. Our position will not change until our grievances have been resolved,†he said.
He said the administration was considering a reasonable increment but emphasised that, ‘it must be in writing.’
Okello said the university receives about sh18b as internal revenue.
“There is no reason why you should not be paid well. The money is there,†Okello said.
Ends
and Pidson Kareire
OVER 5,000 students at Makerere University yesterday went without meals as the non-teaching staff went on strike demanding increment in their salaries.
Lectures were suspended after employees refused to report to their work stations.
There was panic at the university in the morning as lecturers pleaded with students to keep out of the mess. Startled students stood in front of the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences.
Hundreds of non-resident students were stranded outside the lecture rooms, which were still closed by 11:00am. The library was still closed by midday.
There was no activity in most of the nine halls of residence.
The lavatories were not cleaned and there was no sign of cooking apart from University Hall where the students prepared their meal of rice and beans. Other kitchens at the university were deserted.
The university secretary, Sam Byanagwa, was locked up in a crisis meeting with the leaders of the over 300 workers. They had not arrived at a compromise until the meeting was called off late afternoon.
“We are progressing in trying to solve this matter. We are studying the demands of these people. We shall solve it amicably once and for all,†Byanagwa said.
The mood at the campus was sombre as the students returned to the dining rooms only to find dirty saucepans.
Over 200 employees gathered at the University Union offices speaking in low tones. Most of them looked angry.
The strike almost went violent after some attempted to stop others from working. Most workers accused the university administrators of being adamant despite last week’s warning of an imminent strike. Police was deployed to maintain order.
James Okello, the chairman of the union, told the workers yesterday afternoon that they were negotiating for a pay rise.
“We are still pressing for our rights but this will be successful if you stay calm and peaceful. Our position will not change until our grievances have been resolved,†he said.
He said the administration was considering a reasonable increment but emphasised that, ‘it must be in writing.’
Okello said the university receives about sh18b as internal revenue.
“There is no reason why you should not be paid well. The money is there,†Okello said.
Ends