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Makerere VC Announces Completion of Salary Harmonization, Staff Association Still Skeptical

13 Jan 2025 15:46
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe giving his speech
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has announced the successful completion of the long-awaited staff salary harmonization process, which aims to address pay disparities across the institution.

Speaking during the ongoing graduation ceremony at the university’s Freedom Square, Prof. Nawangwe confirmed that the process was now complete, with harmonized salaries set to be paid starting this month.

“We wish to thank the Government for availing the required resources to finally resolve the matter of salary inequality...Salary harmonization is now complete, and members of staff will receive their harmonized salaries, starting with the January salary,” Nawangwe said.

For years, Makerere’s staff—regarded as the country’s premier university—have been paid less than their counterparts at other public universities. In many cases, staff at Makerere with similar qualifications have earned significantly lower salaries than their peers in other institutions. Some Makerere staff have been reported to earn as little as half of what their counterparts in other universities are paid, prompting multiple demonstrations over the years.

In April last year, the government allocated Shs 61 billion to harmonize the salaries of staff in public universities, providing hope for a resolution at Makerere. The university was allocated Shs 12.6 billion as part of the plan. However, staff were left frustrated when the funds were not disbursed as expected, with university management citing unclear communication. The lack of clarity led to unrest, culminating in a strike in October last year that disrupted the daily operations of the university.

Despite the announcement by Prof. Nawangwe, staff remain skeptical. The Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), led by chairperson Dr. Robert Kakuru, has called for a meeting to discuss the matter further. Kakuru expressed that staff expect to see the harmonized salaries reflected in their pay before January 28.

"Staff expect harmonized salaries before January 28. We have a joint general assembly on January 28 at 2 p.m. to review the status and forge a way forward," Kakuru told Uganda Radio Network.

The harmonized salary structure, according to the announcement, includes Vice-Chancellors earning 20 million Shillings, Deputy Vice-Chancellors 17.5 million Shillings, Professors 15.6 million Shillings, and Associate Professors 14.8 million Shillings. Senior Lecturers in the sciences will receive 9 million Shillings, while Lecturers will earn 8.1 million Shillings, Assistant Lecturers 6.6 million Shillings, and Teaching Assistants 5.7 million Shillings. In the humanities, Senior Lecturers will receive 8.2 million Shillings, Lecturers 7.6 million Shillings, and Assistant Lecturers 5.9 million Shillings.