Makerere University management has instructed all striking staff members to return to work while assuring them that their concerns about salary harmonization are being addressed. This directive was issued by Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Vice Chancellor, in a circular dated October 8, 2024.
“Management therefore calls upon all staff to continue with the performance of their duties as any concerns regarding salary harmonization are being addressed,” reads part of the circular addressed to all Makerere University staff.
The strike, initiated by Makerere staff under their associations Makerere University Academic Staff Association-MUASA, Makerere University Support Staff Association-Masa, and the National Union of Education Institutions (NUEI)—began as a response to the university’s failure to align their salaries with those of staff at other public universities.
The staff argues that it is “grossly unfair for individuals with similar qualifications to receive different salaries, with some earning only half of what their counterparts in other public universities receive.” In the circular, Mukadasi emphasized that the grievances are being actively addressed, and there is no justification for the continued strike.
“Management notes that all staff concerns regarding salary harmonization are being addressed by the relevant authorities following engagements with the staff associations and the corresponding decisions of the University Council. Therefore, the withdrawal of labor is not warranted,” the circular reads.
He added that salary harmonization primarily affects administrative and support staff, not teaching staff. “The salary harmonization process affects administrative and support staff at Makerere University. There are 1,386 staff members in the harmonization categories, including 933 support staff and 253 administrative staff,” Mukadasi clarified.
Despite this directive, Dr. Robert Kakuru, Chairperson of the Academic Staff Association, reiterated that the strike would continue until all demands are met. He also pointed out that some staff members may still be teaching due to a lack of awareness about the strike.
“We believe some of the members may not be aware of the Joint Staff Association General Assembly. They could have gone on with their duties because of this knowledge gap. We are informing them that all staff are on strike, and they should honor this resolution,” Kakuru told URN earlier on Monday.
-URN
