As MUASA Chairperson, Kamunyu was a vocal critic of the university administration, representing voices of staff demanding reforms in key areas of the institution including employment systems, the welfare of staff, academic freedoms, and proper functioning of university systems, and spoke against financial excesses and misallocation of resources.
The tenure
of Dr. Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi as Chairperson of Forum for Academic Staff in Public
Universities-FASPU and Makerere University Academic Staff Association-MUASA has come to an end.
Kamunyu served
as FASPU Chairperson for almost two years having been elected in June 2019.
His tenure as a leader for both associations was seen as a vessel for
improving staff welfare across public universities through his unique and calm
leadership style.
As MUASA Chairperson, Kamunyu was a vocal critic of the university
administration, representing voices of staff demanding reforms in key areas
of the institution including employment systems, the welfare of staff, academic
freedoms, and proper functioning of university systems, and spoke against
financial excesses and mis-allocation of resources.
It is his stance on these issues as a representative of the academic staff that
a deep-seated animosity grew between staff associations and the university
administration led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe.
Kamunyu was suspended on accusations of inciting staff and indiscipline and
insubordination to the authorities following several warnings and his
insistence to have the staff issues addressed.
His
suspension caused an uproar from university staff leading to a month-long
sit-down strike by all staff causing a stalemate at the century-prestigious
institution.
As FASPU Chairperson,
Kamunyu organized an industrial action to push for the release of 129.24
Billion Shillings by the government towards the enhancement of salaries of
lecturers in all public universities as per a presidential directive in 2015.
Dr. Kamunyu says that his biggest achievement in leadership was to ensure that
university staff receives salary increments.
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Dr. Kamunuyu
also says that while stepping into leadership he envisioned a teaching
environment for staff who are not constrained to offer education.
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Kamunyu is also credited for the creation of a research fund and a life insurance
scheme for staff.
Dr. Milton
Wabyona, the Public Relations Officer for Makerere University Academic Staff
Association says that Kamunyu was an articulate leader whose focus on issues
regarding staff welfare was firm.
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Dr. Simon
Kawuma, the Chairperson of Mbarara University of Science and Technology Academic
Staff Association- MUSTASA says that Kamunyu united staff in public
universities which created a force that could push for their interests.
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Kamunyu says
that his successors in MUASA and FASPU should advocate for better employment
terms and full salary increments for the rest of the lecturers.
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The Forum
for Academic Staff in Public Universities (FASPU) was formed in 2017 to
facilitate negotiations in line with salary enhancement on behalf of the
academic staff in all the 10 public universities with the government.
Shiphrah Kwagala
Freelancer