Makerere University council has reached an agreement with striking members of associations of Makerere Administrative Staff Association (MASA), Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) and the support staff under the National Union of Education Institutions -NUEI to resume work on Friday February 15th 2019.
The communication is carried in a document by Mrs. Lorna Magara the chairperson of the university council that was released last night after a meeting.
According to Magara, council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to devise means of stabilizing the university that has not seen any normalcy since opening for the new academic year on January 21st 2019.
She added that they will continue to engage all stake holders.
“Council has engaged with some of the members of MUASA executive and agreed that the university shall return to full normalcy by Friday 15th February 2019” part of the letter reads.
War broke out at the Ivory Tower when Vice chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe suspended Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, the Chairperson Makerere University Academic Staff Association, Bennet Magara, the Chairperson of Makerere Administrative Staff Association and his General Secretary, Joseph Kalema, forcing staff to go on strike.
According to prof. Nawangwe, the trio is guilty of insubordination, indiscipline and inciting staff.
During the Tuesday meeting, council also resolved that all staff who have continued to fulfill their roles, duties and responsibilities are commended, that the students are commended for their understanding and patience as the current situation is being resolved, and that matters relating to the suspension of staff or any other matter concerning the governance of the university shall be handled in accordance with the laws, policies and the procedures governing the university.
Council also resolved that the appointments board convenes to handle matters of suspended staff, that is Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, Bennet Magara and Joseph Kalema. Also, that MUASA executive shall immediately engage its membership with the view of returning the university to full normalcy by Friday 15th February 2019, that management is directed to advise council in consultation with senate on the mechanism put in place to compensate students the time lost, and that council as well as management continue engagement with staff and other stakeholders to ensure that normalcy returns to the university.
Meanwhile, VC insists that the suspended individuals must face the disciplinary committee which in turn should decide whether they are innocent or guilty as alleged.
