The general assembly, according to the announcement released by Makerere University Academic Staff Association MUASA General Secretary, Dr Richard Walimbwa was scheduled for Friday at 2:30 PM in the university main hall.
The committee was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni on November 15th last year to probe Makereres chronic financial problems. The committee chairperson Dr Abel Rwendeire died last week before release of the report. Before his demise, Rwendeire said he had finalised the report and was awaiting the presidents appointment to handover and make it public.
Charles Barugahare, the Makerere University Secretary has written to the permanent secretary Ministry of Public Service to harmonise salary scales of academic staff of Makerere with those from other public universities.
The reopening of the university follows protracted negotiations and a resolution by lecturers through their Umbrella; Makerere University Academic Staff Association MUASA, to end a strike that had paralyzed work at the institution leading to its closure on November 1, 2016.
The vote, which brings hope for the reopening of the University, was held during an emergency general assembly held at Makerere University main hall this morning. 81 members voted in support of a motion to suspend the strike while 51 others wanted the strike to continue until their grievances are addressed.
In a letter dated December 17, addressed to Makerere University Academic Staff Association-MUASA, Etyem explained that the provision will be reviewed after the special audit which is already underway adding that incentive arrears from this year will be cleared by June next year.
Dr. William Tayeebwa, a lecturer in the Mass Communication Department, told URN that whereas the payment of staff salary somehow cooled the lecturers tempers, majority are not happy because banks took off money from individual accounts faster than it had been paid.
In a statement to staff issued at around 9pm, Deus Muhwezi Kamunyu, the MUASA Publicist, said they will hold an emergency general assembly on Thursday December 15th at Makerere University to deliberate on the agreed position by their executive.
During the meeting with the College Principals, Eng. Charles Wana Etyem, the MAK University Council Chairperson reportedly pleaded with them to accept the one months salary and incentive in vain.
On Tuesday, the MUASA executive led by its chairperson, Dr. Mohammed Kiggundu Musoke held a press conference at Makerere University Guest House and appealed to members of the public to join their struggle to have lasting solutions to the strikes at Makerere University.
Museveni also said that government is determined to pay professors Shillings 15 million from 8 million, but asked them to wait a little longer since there is no money at the moment to do so.
The sit-down strike by Makerere University lecturers has entered day two as 40,000 students miss classes just 44 days to end of the semester. Two days ago, close to 1,800 lecturers through their umbrella association Makerere University Academic Staff Association Muasa declared a strike vowing not go to class unless the university fully clears their incentive arrears dating back to February.
The Academic staff unanimously resolved to lay down their tools this afternoon in a highly charged assembly convened by Makerere University Academic Staff Association-MUASA.
Makerere University exams start today after lecturers resolved to suspend their strike over salary increment. The lecturers under their umbrella, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) last week announced a sit-down strike once again demanding a 100% salary increment. In the MUASA General Assembly on Sunday, however, the lecturers agreed to suspend the strike after the University management agreed to include their demands in the 2013/2014 budget.
Professor Mahamood Mamdani, the director Makerere University Institute of Social Research (MISR) wants the university to scrap lecturers’ allowances for marking examination transcripts.
The Social Services Committee of Parliament has rejected the university and other tertiary institutions bill 2011 for failing to address issues adequately.
Government has released over 9.2 billion shillings to the Makerere University lecturers as part of the National Insurance Cooperation wage fund and salary top up.
Makerere University Council is seeking a legal interpretation from the Solicitor General, of a letter written by Education Minister Jessica Alupo Epel on the recruitment of a Vice Chancellor to replace Professor Venancius Baryamureeba.
More than 1000 academic and support staff of the university spent several hours in the queue in their respective university faculties and colleges for the exercise. By 1:00pm, at least 500 staff were lining up at the former faculty of arts where the exercise was going on.
