Re-opening of Makerere University will not depend on the conclusion of the visitation committee’s work, but willingness of lecturers to return to class, says the state minister for education John Crysostom Muyingo.
The minister says the committee is expected to conclude its work in a space of three months, but this does not necessarily mean, that the University will be re-opened then.
Makerere University was closed over a month ago at the directive of President Yoweri Museveni after continued strikes by lecturers who were demanding for a whooping 28 Billion shillings in salary incentives, and students who were demanding that lecturers return to class.
The minister was speaking to a local daily, the observer when he further defended the president for closing the ivory tower, saying it was to protect students, university property, and neighboring residents.
He then accuses the lecturers of closing the University when they refused to teach. He says the university will not be re-opened until lecturers have accepted to return to class and teach.
“It is the lecturers who closed the University when they refused to work. So, there is no way we can re-open the University without the lecturers first agreeing to go back to class and teach” said the minister.
About the staff salaries, Muyingo says government has already disbursed its portion of money as stipulated in the budget, and the university council has to add the rest and pay the lecturers.
“We are going to give Makerere everything we budgeted for up to 30th of June 2017 when this current financial year ends. Now, who decides who to pay and how to spend the money is the university council” he added.
