Makerere University staff have threatened to down tools following the dispersal of their General Assembly meeting by Uganda Police in collaboration with the university’s management. The meeting that was scheduled to take place on Tuesday was meant to address complaints over the university’s failure to harmonize staff salaries despite the government allocating UGX 12.6 billion for the purpose earlier this year.
The staff, represented by the Joint Staff Associations namely MUASA, MASA, and NUEI, aired their frustration in a strongly-worded press statement, cautioning industrial action that could culminate into a full-blown strike in case their grievances continue to go unaddressed.
Harmonization Issue: A Source of Tension
The harmonization issue has been the source of tension for a while. Despite similar adjustments in other public universities, staff in Makerere have not been able to benefit from these changes. The staff had written to bring the matter to attention earlier, on 11th September 2024, reminding the university council chairperson, Lorna Magara, of several unresolved resolutions that included threats of a possible strike if the harmonization process was not finalized.
Staff Complaints
Some of the complaints by the staff revolve around the following issues:
- There is no harmonization of salaries as the university management had promised before the end of September.
- The amount for a large portion of the staff salaries has not been adjusted.
- Letters were given to some staff indicating that they have been relegated to low ranks in the new salary structure.
- Letters have been given to other staff, which indicated new salary scales but did not give the figures of money.
Staff consider the move illegal, as it was meant to discuss these issues, among others, in the General Assembly that was forcibly blocked by the police and university management. They view the action as a denial of their constitutional rights, particularly Article 29 that guarantees freedom of assembly, and Article 68 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, that guarantees university staff the right to meet and deliberate on matters affecting them. The academics have also accused management of violating core labor standards as stipulated by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Toxic Working Environment and Unrest
The staff also attacked the university’s leadership for creating what they called a “toxic working environment” that undermines the staff’s rights and welfare, warning of further unrest if something is not done to change the situation.
Appeal for Presidential Intervention
In their press release, the staff made a direct appeal to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the Visitor of Makerere University. They wanted him to exercise his powers to have the university management adhere to the mandate given by the government to harmonize salaries and employment systems in all public universities. What has been causing as much concern to the staff is the likelihood of unrest, which may escalate to a labor strike if the situation is not resolved.
Their appeal to the President, along with the staff, signifies how grave a matter stands before them, as they keep insisting that a harmonious resolution must be achieved for the university to function properly and for the continued development of the education sector of the country.
A Growing Saga of Discontent
This new development adds to the growing saga of discontent among Makerere’s academic and non-academic staff. With tension mounting, management is under considerable pressure to make good on promises and to respond to the concerns of staff, lest the situation degenerate into full-blown industrial action.
A Larger Context
Although the problem of harmonization of salaries is not new in Ugandan public universities, the failure to address the same at Makerere University, one of the most prestigious institutions in this country, has received front-page coverage. The staff from other public universities have already obtained harmonized pay, which makes the staff at Makerere feel unattended to and unwanted. Delays in addressing their concerns, despite the government’s firm financial commitment, have heightened their discontent.
While this move is being awaited within the university community, tension has continued to increase, with the staff threatening to withdraw their labor—a situation that could paralyze academic and administrative operations at the university. Meanwhile, staff are pressing for peaceful dialogue toward a resolution that protects their rights and welfare while continuing to support the university in its mission of education and research.
