Museveni criticises striking Makerere lecturers

PIC: President Museveni addressed a press conference in Luweero. (Credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

President Yoweri Museveni has strongly criticized striking Makerere University lecturers, saying such "indiscipline" will not be tolerated anymore.

"It's not a good attitude," the President told a press conference at Kawumu State Lodge in in Luweero District Wednesday evening.

His comments came after Tuesday's closure of Uganda's oldest university after lecturers laid down their tools over non-payment of their incentives amounting to sh28bn.

Museveni said his government has been steadily increasing the salary of lecturers and does not understand why the lecturers cannot be patient as government tries to resolve their issues.

 

At the press conference, Museveni was flanked by state minister for Luwero Triangle Dennis Ssozi. (Credit: Roderick Ahimbazwe)

"It's not a good attitude and seeing that the teachers were not teaching and were given an ultimatum: 'Go back' and they said they wouldn't, we had to close the university and really take a decisive action," the President told reporters.

"And I want to tell you we are not going to tolerate this kind of indiscipline anymore. Finished. This is kisanja [term] Hakuna Mchezo, you remember. You cannot have somebody okutuga [strangle] government and say 'if you don't give me money now, I am going to paralyse the country'. No no. That's not a good attitude.

"We want to open the university as soon as possible so that the students don't miss their studies," said Museveni.

Meanwhile, the President also ordered the Kampala city authorities to intensify operations to evict street vendors from the streets.

He reasoned that their presence is affecting the businesses of shop owners and yet government relies on their taxes to carry out its programs.