Makerere University academic staff, through their joint body Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), have declared a sit-down strike over staff salary arrears.
The strike that took effect on Monday, October 7, 2024 followed a meeting of the association’s members who agreed to lay down their tools. The resolution was communicated to the chairperson University Council in a letter dated October 7, 2024.
“after lengthy deliberations on the position of the Staff Associations that was submitted to the University Management during a meeting of 2nd and 3rd October 2024, and the resultant decisions of the 165th meeting of the University Council, held on 4th October 2024, the members of the Joint Staff Association therefore, resolved to withdraw their labour with efect from today Monday, 7th October 2024, 13:00 hours,” the letter reads in part.
According to the letter, the strike will continue until the following issues are resolved;
- All monies for salary harmonization UGX. 12,636,589,200 are paid to the beneficiaries/staff as computed by Management, approved by the University Council and approved by the Government of Uganda in the FY2024/2025 Budget with arrears.
- All decisions of the Appointments Board demoting staff to lower ranks should be rescinded immediately. Staff currently occupying higher or senior positions should not be disadvantaged by being lowered in ranks as a result of harmonization.
- That the staff members in upgraded positions should be paid the upgraded salary scales without the higher salary being contingent on meeting the new qualification requirements, that were not required during their respective recruitments and or promotions for some members. New qualifications as guided by the Ministry of Public Service should not apply to staff in post because such cannot apply retrospectively.
- All the salary harmonisation letters already issued should be rescinded, corrected to include the salary amounts at all given salary scales.
MUASA also says that the working conditions at Makerere University have become extremely toxic, characterised by wanton violation of rights such as the right to freedom of assembly and association.
On Monday the Makerere University library said it would close to stand in solidarity with the staff on strike. However, the library later issued a communication distancing itself from the strike.
Management is yet to communicate about the development.
