Makerere University staff who are on strike have been advised to stop intimidating their fellows who refused to join what is termed as “the illegal pronouncements by a section of the staff”.
In a circular released last night, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe insists that the university is open for business and that all the stakeholders, particularly the members of staff and students should carry on with their official business without intimidation.
The development came hours after lecturers decided to fully withdraw their labour until management bows to their demands. They are protesting the suspension of of Bennet Magara, the Chairperson Makerere Administrative Staff Association - MASA, his Secretary, Joseph Kalema and Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, the Chairperson Makerere University Academic Staff Association-MUASA.
The gentlemen were accused of misconduct and violation of the terms of their employment. But senior academic staff members say this was in bad faith and against the law.
However, the vice chancellor says Monday’s decision by a section of the members of staff who met in the Main Hall came a time when 85% of the University has returned to normalcy and business is running according to schedule in most colleges except the School of Law.
He therefore directed all members of staff to with immediate effect, resume work.
“All staff who have not resumed duties are hereby directed to do so immediately. Management will not allow a situation of anarchy to continue while the students are suffering. Any attempts by sections of staff to disrupt normal business at the University will be dealt with firmly. Those who do not want to work MUST allow those who want to work to do so” the circular reads.
However, the Head of the Department of Journalism and Communication Dr William Tayebwa, appealed to the Vice Chancellor Prof Nawangwe to respect the resolutions of academic leaders to withdraw the suspension of staff leaders since no proper procedures were followed when the decisions were taken.
