While addressing the press on Sunday, the Academic staff of Makerere University Business School (MUBS) declared a sit-down strike citing failure by the government to resolve the ten-year-long dispute over salary disparities.
The lecturers threatened not to teach when the university reopens on 15th October for final year students. The lecturers have further explained that they are not fighting for salary increment but rather they demand to be paid what they deserve as promised ten years ago.
According to Brian Muyomba, the Chairperson of the MUBS Academic Staff Association, 50% of his colleagues are earning lower than what they are supposed to be earning. The officials vowed not to resume lectures on 15th October before urging the students to remain home until when they (lecturers) communicate.
“Fifty percent to the staff in MUBS are earning salaries lower than what they should earn. For example associate professors who are supposed to get 14.8 million are earning around 8 million. So that can show you how big the disparity is. “ Muyomba said.
“The academic staff of MUBS unanimously agreed not to resume teaching and other academic activities until when this matter is resolved. We urge our students to remain home and safe until when we communicate.” Muyomba added.
It should be recalled that the MUBS academic staff met with President Museveni in 2019 over salary disparities. Following this meeting, the Ministry of Public Service directed the Ministry of Finance to release UGX 59 billion in the financial year 2020/2021 as directed by the President. However, the MUBS lecturers have not yet received the money.
According to Edwin Napakor, the MUBASA general secretary, their issue is not salary increment but rather not earning the right salary.
“The issue is about earning the right salary not an increment. Academic staff at MUBS are not seeking an increment but asking for the right salary because they are earning less than what they should earn.” Napakor said.
According to the approved salary structure for public universities, a Vice Chancellor of the university is supposed to earn UGX 20 million, the Deputy Vice Chancellor UGX 17.4 million, a professor 15.6 million, Associate professor 14.8 million, senior lecturer 9 million, a lecturer 8.1 million, an assistant lecturer 6.6 million, and a teaching assistant is supposed to earn 5.7 million.
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