Makerere dons call off sit-down

December 19, 2016 in Business by Editor

Kampala December 19 – Makerere University lecturers today voted to suspend their two month standoff with the government, promising a return to normalcy at the institution that has been rocked with labour turmoil since August 12.

The lecturers had downed tools over unpaid 8-month old arrears culminating in the university’s total closure on November 1 2016.

In a meeting convened today under their umbrella, the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), 81 lecturers voted in favour of lifting the suspension while 56 opposed.

The closure of the university prompted President Museveni to appoint a probe committee into the institutions affairs as both sides dug deeper with the government threatening to sack the dons.

“I appeal to you that we resume work as the comprehensive audit and investigations by the visitation committee carry on. If our incentives are not cleared by February 2017, then we can resume the strike,” Muhamadd
Kigundu the MUASA chairperson appealed to colleagues.

Dialogue over the arrears broke down in October after government told the lecturers there was no money to pay them or support any enhancements to their pay. It was not immediately clear when President Museveni who ordered the institution closed in the first place, was going to open it.