The chairman of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa), Dr Muhammad Kiggundu, has said that as lecturers, they cannot deal with political parties and any assistance to them should be channeled through the University Council.
During today’s evening press conference held at Makerere Guest house, Dr Kiggundu explained that it’s the University Council which is the supreme governing body of the institution that can only solve the impasse.
He added that FDC’s Dr Kizza Besigye who had launched a fundraising campaign to raise money for their salary arrears can therefore channel his assistance through the University Council.
“At Makerere, we have many donors, so if Besigye or any other person wants to donate to Makerere, let them get through [University Council]. Otherwise this is not Lumbe [funeral] where they get baskets and collect money to help the orphans, that we cant allow,”Kiggundu said.
Asked whether they as an association side with any political party, Kiddundu said thus;
“This is to categorically state that we in Muasa disassociate ourselves from any political activity professed under the support of our cause…. and by this we don’t mean Besigye alone, but all political parties be it NRM,” he added.
Dr Deus Kamunyu, the public relations officer of Muasa said they even can’t give an ear to pleas of the Minster of Higher Education Chrysostom Muyingo, who said Makerere can be immediately reopened if lecturers called off the strike.
“We cant allow such politicians to start deciding for us what to do. The issues that led to our sit down strike are well laid before the Makerere University Council. So, politicians should get out of this,” he ordered.
Dr Kiggundu finalised by insisting that their strike is still on and asked the university management to “expeditiously find an amicable solution to resolve the impasse”.
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