President Yoweri Museveni has put the last nail in a coffin explaining that there is no money to satisfy the salary increment demands of Makerere University teaching staff.
The development comes just a day after President Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of the troubled University over unending strikes by lecturers and students that left more than 50 students arrested.
The closure also followed failed negotiations between the university Council, management and the lecturers who have been on strike since October 26.
The lecturers laid down their tools to protest non-payment of their salary incentives for the last 8 months amounting to Shillings 28 billion.
Speaking to the media last night at Kawumu State Lodge in Makulubita Sub County in Luweero district, Museveni condemned the strike but explained that government is determined to clear the incentive arrears despite the fact that there is no money at the moment.
Museveni also said that government is determined to pay professors Shillings 15 million from 8 million, but asked them to be patient since there is no money at the moment to do so.
The president also revealed that the Ivory tower will be reopened soon to enable students to continue with their studies. However, it is unclear whether the lecturers will return to class without receiving their salary incentives. They are expected to meet later today to deliberate on the council resolutions, and decide their next course of action.
Recently, the university council promised to pay the lecturers their salary incentive for one month as they look for additional resources to clear the remaining months. Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) blames the persistent strikes at the University on the failures by the administration and council.
The MUASA leadership accuses the university management and council of ineptness in managing internally generated funds and failure of the council to act.
