Minister Muyingo warns on strikes

Sheema/Mbarara. The State Minister for Higher Education, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, has cautioned students in institutions of higher learning against using strikes as a means of expressing their grievances.

He said resorting to strikes in trying to solve challenges could result into moral decadence for the young generation.
“There is a culture that is coming up, a culture of resistance and defiance. I saw the other day kids of Bridge International Schools resisting lawful orders. These kids didn’t know what they were doing but they had been coached by teachers,” said Dr Muyingo.

He was speaking at the fifth graduation ceremony of Ankole Western University in Kabwohe Town in Sheema District last Friday where 555 students were awarded diplomas and certificates in various disciplines.
Dr Muyingo added; “One of our universities, I think the biggest is now closed. We closed it because it had become unmanageable. This should never happen here and we are all responsible,” he said.

Makerere University was on November 1 closed on the directive of the President after lecturers refused to teach over non-payment of their incentive arrears. Lecturers’ sit-down strike triggered a violent strike by the students.
Dr Muyingo asked education institutions to use dialogue as a way of solving day-to-day challenges.
“Absence of dialogue has resulted into several disagreements and lack of consensus in institutions leading to strikes. In whatever we are doing, let’s try to build and promote the culture of listening to each other, develop the culture of sharing, and the culture of promoting peace and culture of dialogue,” said Dr Muyingo.
The University Chancellor, The Most Rev Stanley Ntagali, commended parents and guardians for educating their children.

Transform MUST
Meanwhile, Dr Muyingo last Friday, while touring the African Development Bank-funded construction of new buildings at Kihumuro Campus, challenged Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to transform the institution into a centre of excellence.
Vice Chancellor Prof Celestino Obua said the university enjoys a good working relationship with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports.

Makerere closure
Solution. Mr Muyingo advised that there are solutions and we are part of the solution to the challenges that universities face. He asked education institutions to use dialogue as a way of solving challenges.
Closing Makerere. He said: Makerere University was closed because it had become unmanageable, which he said should never have happened.
Strike. Makerere University was closed early this month on the directive of the President.

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