By Johannah Nantongo
The newly elected Chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Dr. Jude Ssempebwa, has pledged to champion staff welfare, institutional reforms, and unity as he assumes leadership of the association for the 2026–2028 term.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new executive committee at Makerere University’s Main Building on March 23, 2026, Dr. Ssempebwa expressed gratitude to MUASA members for entrusting him and his team with leadership, describing their mandate as both humbling and a call to serve with accountability.
He commended the outgoing Chairperson, Dr. Robert Kakuru, for his dedication and commitment to advancing staff interests, noting that his leadership laid a strong foundation for the association’s continued progress.
Dr. Ssempebwa also acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing executive committee, praising their collective efforts in advocating for staff welfare and strengthening the association.
He lauded the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for his support toward improving staff remuneration, particularly his role in engaging President Yoweri Museveni on salary enhancements for academic staff. He called for continued collaboration to ensure that all categories of university staff benefit from the promised pay improvements.
Addressing the University Council, Ssempebwa urged members to implement reforms in the human resources framework, including fair promotion criteria that prioritize teaching, research, and community engagement. He also called for better recognition of staff workload beyond standard working hours, timely implementation of approved staff structures, and restoration of specialized academic tracks, particularly in health sciences.
He further appealed for dialogue on key staff concerns such as the Staff Development Policy, housing, healthcare, and the staff tribunal, emphasizing the need for policies that support both staff welfare and institutional growth.
The MUASA chairperson also raised concerns about the recognition of locally published academic work, cautioning against undermining Makerere University Press and other African publishers. He stressed the importance of promoting indigenous knowledge production and reducing reliance on external indexing systems.
Dr. Ssempebwa concluded by calling for unity among university stakeholders, including students, staff associations, and other public institutions, noting that collaboration remains essential in building a stronger and future-ready Makerere University.
