Kyambogo staff: ''We can''t work with Ndiege''

By Innocent Anguyo

Kyambogo University teaching and non-teaching staff unanimously resolved to snub an appeal by police chief Gen Kale Kayihura that they resume duty immediately.

In a six-hour general assembly at the university’s main hall, the staff Wednesday rejected Kayihura’s call that they resume work instantly in exchange for his intervention in the leadership wrangles that have veiled the public institution for the last two weeks.

Kayihura further promised to deliver the staff’s grievances to President Yoweri Museveni if they shunned industrial action for dialogue.

He is mediating negotiations between Kyambogo vice chancellor, Prof Isaiah Omolo Ndiege and the executive of the staff.

The warring parties have been holed up in discussions at police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala the last two days.

“When he [Gen Kayihura] heard that staff had left the university immediately after Prof Ndiege resumed office last week, he felt pity for the students and decided to negotiate between the opposing sides,” said Charles Twesigye, the chairperson of the general staff assembly.

Nevertheless, Kayihura asked the staff to resume lectures so that students can learn and prepare for exams set to start on November 25 as negotiations progressed.

MOU rejected

On Tuesday, the representatives of staff promised Kayihura that they would resume duty on condition that Ndiege resumes work through negotiations.

The warring parties then embarked on developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

But on Wednesday, the general assembly rejected the first draft of the MOU between the staff and Ndiege on grounds the terms therein did not favour them.

According to the draft MOU, the parties agreed that on resumption of office, Ndiege would reconcile with staff members, not victimize staff, abide by the university rules and procedures and leave financial matters to gazetted offices.

The other terms included that on resumption of office, Ndiege would respect all university council decisions and that without prejudice to the oversight role of the vice chancellor, the statuesque of appointment of staff made in August 2013 shall stand.

Nonetheless, the general assembly rejected the terms of the MOU and subsequently recommended that the University Council should buy off the two months left on Ndiege’s contract.

“We are willing to return to work but we can never work with Ndiege. If he works here, we shall wait until his contract expires in January before resuming work,” said Alex Paul Isiko, a lecturer of religious studies.

The general assembly further asked Prof Ndiege to resign since no one was willing to work with him. Eventually, the staff voted to shun work until he quits office.

Kyambogo staff last week laid down their tools after Prof Ndiege resumed duty as ordered by the High Court. The staff accused him of having mismanaged the university and failed to respect the governing council and staff.

On Monday, the Kyambogo University Council asked Prof Ndiege to resume work in tandem with the recent High Court ruling.

Justice Wilson Masalu Musene of Nakawa High Court in his ruling quashed the earlier decision reached by Kyambogo University Council recommending the dismissal of the under-pressure professor.

The council appealed to the staff to call off their strike and reconcile their differences with Prof Ndiege through negotiations in a bid to ensure that normalcy returns to the university.