Makerere University Academic Staff Association - Muasa has moved to evaluate its constitution to address the issue proxy voting and the quorum needed to make decisions.
Currently, the Muasa general assembly quorum constitutes of only 30 members to make a binding resolution. During their last General Assembly on December 19, 2016, eight-one of the 137 members who attended the assembly voted to call off the two-month strike, while 57 voted against the suspension.
Addressing reporters earlier this week, Dr. Lawrence Mugisha, the association's Assistant General Secretary said that before the closure of the university in November last year, staff had resolved to amend the Muasa constitution so as to stop the minority from deciding for others.
The members also want the voting procedure and the number of times one serves on the executive committee revisited.
The Muasa Constitution 1975 was last amended in July 1989. Section 4 and 5 of Article VII of the constitution require a quorum of 30 members for Muasa General Meetings, including the Annual General Meeting to go ahead.
The constitution further adds that "Voting by proxy shall be allowed provided written notice is sent to the Secretary by the member giving the proxy informing the Secretary to this effect."
Several staff members note that a contestant can win with majority of proxy votes which is dangerous to the association.
