Makerere University has been closed indefinitely after lecturers refused to teach until their demands for a salary increment are met.
At a general assembly meeting called on Thursday morning by the university council chairman, Dr. Peter Wana Etyem, the lecturers vowed not resume teaching until government doubles their pay.
Dr Wana Etyem says he had no option but to close the 89-year-old institution. He told all teaching staff to hand over all university property under their care on Friday and wait for a communication from government.
Etyem also asked students, who reported on August 13th to vacate the halls of residence peacefully and go back home. Arrangements are being made to give students their transport allowances. But students from the College of Health Sciences, international students and students with disabilities will however stay at the university and be accommodated in one hall.
Dr Etyem is currently holding a meeting with top university officials.
The lecturers under their umbrella, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) are also pushing for their pension scheme money amounting to 16 billion shillings being held by National Insurance Corporation. But the insurer insists it is 13 billion shillings.
The lecturers have been on two-week sit down strike paralyzing academic business at Uganda’s oldest university, just as the new academic year started. Attempts early this week to end the strike failed after the MUASA chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi was overpowered by other lecturers. Odoi announced that the strike had ended after meeting Prime Minister, Amama Mbabazi but the other lecturers including Odoi’s deputy, Mohammed Kiggundu insisted the strike would continue.
Students who have been at the university for two weeks without lectures threatened to go on strike on Wednesday, but their move was blocked by police under the command of Kampala Metropolitan commander, Grace Turyagumanawe.
At the Thursday general assembly, Odoi was forced to apologize to his colleagues for imposing his individual opinions on the association. Odoi, who had turned up on Wednesday to teach, openly apologized and said he will never again impose his decisions on MUASA. He now says he supports the continuation of the strike.
The university top officials including vice chancellor, Prof. Venancius Baryamureeba tried to convince lecturers to resume teaching as negotiations with government continue, but this was unanimously opposed.
