Makerere council to negotiate with staff on reopening university

By PATIENCE AHIMBISIBWE

pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com

Makerere University Council has officially invited their staff to negotiate how to reopen the university that has now been closed for more than a month.

The staff will be represented by their association executive today. According to Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa) chairperson, Dr Muhammed Kiggundu, this is the first time they are going to be involved in finding solutions to what forced President Museveni to order the institution’s closure indefinitely on November 1.

Mr Museveni later instituted a committee headed by Dr Abel Rwendeire to look at the various issues that have led to frequent strikes at the country’s oldest university. They have three months to complete these investigations.

Kiggundu has said when they meet Council today, the discussions they will have will determine their next step adding that they are interested in teaching and getting their pay.

He says the meeting should have tangible solutions to the reasons as to why they went on strike.

Earlier, the State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. Chrysostom Muyingo reported that government had already submitted its dues to the university for staff salaries and that they will only reopen institution if they are guaranteed that the staff are going to teach.

Written by David Kugonza