MUK Dons reject varsity incentive offer, insist wont return to work

Principals of Constituent Colleges in Makerere University have rejected pleas by the university council to prevail over junior staff to accept the one month's salary and incentive.
According to sources, the university council led by its Chair, Eng. Charles Wana Etyem, Bruce Kabaasa, the chairperson Makerere University appointments board and Thomas Tayeebwa, the Chairperson Finance Planning Administration and Investment Committee (FPAIC) met the college principals until late on Monday evening.
It came after the university council cancelled a meeting with the Makerere University Academic Staff Association executive, which was scheduled to take place earlier in the day, saying it needed more time to consult the stakeholders further.

During the meeting with the College Principals, Eng. Charles Wana Etyem, the MAK University Council Chairperson reportedly pleaded with them to accept the one month's salary and incentive in vain.

The principals instead asked the council to communicate the position to MUASA. It is alleged that during the same meeting, the insitution's Lawyer, Goddy Muhumuza advised that the College Principals meet their junior staff and make pronouncements on reopening of the university college by college.

According to sources, Prof. Joseph Mugisha, the Principal of College of Natural Sciences and Bernard Bashaasha, a Professor of Agricultural Economics and Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences vehemently opposed the suggestion, saying they are members of MUASA.

The university council is expected to meet the MUASA executive later today. Deus Muhwezi Kamunyu, the MUASA Publicist said they have been invited for a meeting. He however, says they will not back down on their demands for the clearances of their salary incentives for the past 8 months.

"We have received information from yesterday's [Monday evening] meeting with principals that our November salary has become part of the bait. We don't want to be diverted from our cause. It's very manipulative. They want to use our salary to squeeze and manipulate us but they should know that our November salary is not to be negotiated, we are entitled," Muhwezi reportedly said.

Adding that, "We will resist such council members who regardless of their failure to provide effective supervision to our university prefer to promote their selfish interests; they continue to view us as petty people under their mercy."
Another MUASA official blasted some college Principals for presenting them as vulnerable people. "Instead of tasking members of Council present why our salaries are not paid, some college principals were busy pleading with the council chairman to free their project vehicles and research funds.

This shows you how selfish some of our leaders are," said the official on condition of anonymity. President, Yoweri Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of Makerere University on November 1, 2016 following the failed negotiations between the university council, administration and lecturers over their incentives arrears for the past eight months.