MPs join Besigye to fundraise allowances for Makerere dons

Members of Parliament have joined the fundraising campaign to raise more than Shs28 billion to clear Makerere University staff arrears and have the institution open.

The fundraising campaign is championed by former Makerere University guild presidents including Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality), Anna Adeke Ebaju (National Female Youth MP) and Maurice Kibalya (NRM-Bugabula South).

The legislators have agreed to establish a hash tag named “Friends of Makerere” (#FOM) to spearhead their fundraising campaign.
Mr Karuhanga who is the team coordinator told journalists that the resolution was reached due to uncertainties about the re-opening of the university

“It is very unclear and we are uncertain as to when Makerere University will be opened, so we have established this platform as a drive for the university to flourish,” he said.

The campaign now joined by 11 law makers from all political parties was started by former FDC presidential candidate rtd Col Dr Kizza Besigye who faulted government for what he termed as an illegal move to close the university.

In a press conference at Parliament, the Mps managed to raise Shs550,000 from within their number on Wednesday evening.
The members are targeting 600,000 former students and well-wishers to raise Shs30 billion which they will use to clear the outstanding arrears which have paralysed the university for a month.

“We are going to raise this money, if government has failed to moblise funds, we have chosen to take the lead,” Mr Karuhanga said
Buhweju Coutny MP Francis Mwijukye said many students failed to return home and they were languishing in city suburbs for survival.

The law makers also scorned at ongoing investigations, saying several studies that were conducted were ignored by government.
“There is no need to waste more time on investigations that were already conducted, we want to assure you that we still believe in Makerere and we shall keep its candle burning,” said Adeke who served at guild president in 2013-2015.
Makerere University was closed by President Museveni early in November citing security reasons.

Despite criticism by the public including politicians and the civil society, government maintains that the university will remain locked until lecturers resolve to go back to work.

Prior to the shutdown, lecturers under the Makerere University Academic Staff Association, unanimously resolved to stage an industrial action demanding government to clear their arrears, standing at more than Shs28 billion.
The sit down strike attracted students’ riots which forced the President to intervene.

The law makers said government should not shy away from its responsibilities of supporting the institution’s wage bill.

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