Makerere University academic staff, working under the umbrella body known as Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), have declared a sit-down strike due to unpaid salary arrears. The strike began on Monday, October 7, 2024, following unresolved concerns about salary harmonization and other employment conditions.
The decision to down tools was reached after several meetings held by MUASA members, who then wrote to the University Council through a formal letter dated October 7, 2024. In the letter, MUASA expressed the frustrations of staff after discussions with university management during the meetings of October 2 and 3, 2024, and the University Council’s decisions from its 165th meeting on October 4, 2024.
The academic staff have vowed not to return to work until either the government or university management addresses their concerns. The key issues raised by the association include:
MUASA demands that UGX 12,636,589,200 allocated for salary harmonization in the 2024/2025 fiscal year be paid to all eligible staff members. This figure was computed by management and agreed upon by the University Council at the time of the Ugandan government’s budget approval.
The association has demanded the immediate reversal of all decisions by the Appointments Board that have led to staff demotions. MUASA argues that no staff member holding senior positions should be unfairly downgraded as part of the salary harmonization efforts.
MUASA insists that all staff who have been upgraded to new positions should receive the corresponding upgraded salaries, without the attachment of new qualification requirements introduced after their recruitment or promotion. The association rejects the retrospective application of these requirements, as ordered by the Ministry of Public Service.
The association also calls for the revocation and correction of all salary harmonization letters already issued to ensure that the correct salary amounts are reflected for each staff member’s scale.
Aside from the financial grievances, MUASA noted that the working environment at Makerere University has become toxic. They cited instances of violations of basic rights, including the right to freedom of assembly and association.
The university’s library initially joined the industrial action by announcing its closure in solidarity with the striking academic staff. However, subsequent communication from library management reversed this decision, stating that the facility would remain open despite earlier announcements to the contrary.
The strike has sparked fears of academic disruptions and is likely to affect students as the university seeks ways to resolve the ongoing dispute. MUASA has stated that the strike will continue until their grievances are addressed.
