Makerere University vice chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, has announced the successful completion of the long-awaited staff salary harmonization process, which aims to address pay disparities across the institution.
Speaking during the ongoing graduation ceremony at the university’s Freedom Square, Nawangwe confirmed that the process was now complete, with harmonized salaries set to be paid starting this month.
“We wish to thank the government for availing the required resources to finally resolve the matter of salary inequality…Salary harmonization is now complete, and members of staff will receive their harmonized salaries, starting with the January salary,” Nawangwe said.
For years, Makerere’s staff regarded as the country’s premier university have been paid less than their counterparts at other public universities. In many cases, staff at Makerere with similar qualifications have earned significantly lower salaries than their peers in other institutions. Some Makerere staff have been reported to earn as little as half of what their counterparts in other universities are paid, prompting multiple demonstrations over the years.
In April last year, the government allocated Shs 61 billion to harmonize the salaries of staff in public universities, providing hope for a resolution at Makerere. The university was allocated Shs 12.6 billion as part of the plan. However, staff were left frustrated when the funds were not disbursed as expected, with university management citing unclear communication.
The lack of clarity led to unrest, culminating in a strike in October last year that disrupted the daily operations of the university. Despite the announcement by Nawangwe, some staff remain sceptical. The Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), led by chairperson Dr Robert Kakuru, has called for a meeting to discuss the matter further. Kakuru expressed that staff expect to see the harmonized salaries reflected in their pay before January 28.
“Staff expect harmonized salaries before January 28. We have a joint general assembly on January 28 at 2 pm to review the status and forge a way forward,” Kakuru told URN.
The harmonized salary structure, according to the announcement, includes vice-chancellors earning Shs 20 million, deputy vice-chancellors Shs 17.5 million, professors Shs 15.6 million, and associate professors Shs 14.8 million. Senior science lecturers will receive Shs 9 million while lecturers will earn Shs 8.1 million, assistant lecturers Shs 6.6 million, and teaching assistants Shs 5.7 million. In the humanities, senior lecturers will receive Shs 8.2 million, lecturers Shs 7.6 million, and assistant lecturers Shs 5.9 million.
What Uganda needs, if Ugandans want to live as normal people in a normal country that will belong to them, is *end Rwandese Museveni’s ownership of the zone fromed by their tribal lands in UNITY, then put in place the kind of governance they want!
Why do the educated still pretend they know anything, when all they do is ensure Ugandans remain slaves of Rwandese Museveni, in the fake country?
Why do Ugandans behave as if they live in paradise, everything is alright, people are served with Public/Social Services?
How can what goes on in Museveni’s Uganda be democracy & Ugandans just ensure their enslavement with fake peace, fake elections?
Why are Ugandans still powerless tribally divided ruled & what are tribal leaders, mps, ministers payed for?
Soon 40 years of Rwandese Museveni, but Ugandans behaves as if he’s on for 5 years, WHY?