MUK salary harmonisation committee to discuss its report

Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe has appealed to MUASA not to disrupt university activities. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu

The committee that was instituted to streamline salary scales of Makerere University staff is set to discuss its findings today.

The special committee that was set up by the University Council, the top governing body, was named the salary harmonization committee and is chaired by Thomas Tayebwa, the current Ruhinda North Member of Parliament and a council committee chairperson for Finance and Planning.        

The announcement however, follows an attempted strike by Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) who threatened to lay down their tools citing ‘deliberate' refusal to attend to their matters.

New Vision learnt that MUASA had written to the Council chairperson, Eng. Charles Wana-Etyem, threatening to go on strike on Wednesday saying they needed full payments of their incentive arrears from July last year and their salaries enhanced.

However speaking in an interview in his office yesterday, Prof William Bazeyo, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration said the plea by the lectures will not be considered until Council receives the outcome of two reports by the harmonization committee and the late Dr. Abel Rwendeirwe's Makerere Visitation Committee.

"There is no need for us to adhere to the MUASA's ultimatum because none of the two vital reports are ready. Management is on record not to have refused to implement any Council decision on salary or arrears. So whatever Council comes up with, management will comply," Bazeyo said.

In a meeting Bazeyo chaired on Tuesday with members of MUASA, he said both parties agreed to be patient until both reports are discussed, to chart a way forward.

In an earlier communique by the Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe dated Monday 6^th November to MUASA, he appealed to staff to move cautiously and avoid any further disruption of University activities, saying it has led to serious consequences for the university's image locally and internationally.

"We are doing everything possible to rebuild our image and rebrand our great institution. Everybody has a role to play in this important endeavour. The struggle to continually improve the welfare of staff must continue, but it must be rational and sensitive to the reality that faces our University," Nawangwe stated.

The harmonization committee that begun its work in July this year has eight members and includes representation from Ministry of Finance, Education, Public Service and members from the university management, council and MUASA.

Dr. Rwendeire's nine member Visitation Committee was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni in November last year to investigate the challenges that trigger rampant strikes at Uganda's biggest and oldest public university.

Whereas the work from the Rwendeire committee should have been completed by now, there is no explanation as to why the report has not been discussed.

Dr Rwendeire passed away before he could submit the report to Museveni.