Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, the minister of state for higher education, has expressed his relief after Monday’s decision by Makerere University lecturers to end a two months’ strike that started October 28.
Speaking to The Observer, Muyingo said lecturers under their umbrella organization, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa), closed the university in the first place when they refused to teach.
“They were the people who closed the university; so, we have always been praying that they pick up their tools and go back to teach,” he said.
What is not known thus far is when the university, closed by President Museveni, will reopen. When this question was put to Muyingo, he said government will first get assurances that all lecturers are willing to go back to teach both day and evening students.
“We need to know who is going to teach; otherwise, every student who paid needs to be taught. After [getting] those assurances, we will decide as government what next,” he said. “All along we have been saying we want the university to reopen but the only problem was the teachers who were not willing to teach. We are waiting to see what has transpired and then we will give direction.”
Meanwhile, John Ddumba-Ssentamu, the university vice chancellor, welcomed the dons’ decision to suspend the strike but was quick to add that the president will decide when to reopen it.
“University council chairman [Charles Wana-Etyem] will communicate to the president, ministry of education and find a way forward,” he said.
When reached out, Wana-Etyem said he will wait for a formal communication from Muasa before commenting on the way forward.
“Is there anybody who hoped that the lecturers would not go back to work? I have not received a formal communication from Muasa; when I do, I will be able to respond,” Wana-Etyem said.
Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke, the Muasa chairman, said he and his colleagues were convinced after several meetings with the university council that they would not get anything if they continued with the strike.
Kiggundu said, as Muasa executive, they were equally not convinced with the council’s proposal to pay only one month of their incentive arrears and the November salary.
“The university council said their hands are tied. They are telling us they don’t have money; what did you want us to do to them?” Kiggundu asked, adding, “What we want is a constructive engagement; the money we are looking for, we will not get it through striking; so, people realized this was a dead end.”
Kiggundu also denied accusations of having been compromised by government to end the strike.
“I don’t work by compromises and history will have to tell. Everybody has a right to talk but the truth is always discovered in the end,” he said.
STUDENTS WELCOME DECISION
Roy Ssembogga, the Makerere university guild president, said although the lecturers’ strike has caused students irreparable damage, its suspension will pave way for the reopening of Makerere.
“We wonder why they went on strike in the first place because what the council has offered them is what they refused before the strike,” Ssembogga said. “In the end they are going to be paid but we are not going to recover our wasted time. We hope this is the last time they are laying down their tools.”
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