KAMPALA.
The controversy surrounding the ongoing sit down strike by teaching and non-teaching staffers of public universities has taken yet a new twist with vice chancellors asking the former to first report to work for negotiations on pay rise to commence.
The sit down strike which is entering the fifth day today(Friday) at many universities ,was announced by Mr Jackson Betihamah ,the chairperson of Non-teaching Executive Forum (PUNTSEF) and the leadership of the Forum for Academic Staff of Public Universities (FASPU).
In a letter dated February 17,2025 addressed to all academic, administrative and support staff of public universities, the leadership of FASPU / PUNTSEF, indicated they had decided to lay down their tools after government failed to respond to their pleas for a pray rise.
According to Mr Betihamah , they had not received any feedback from the minister of Public Service by February 17,2025 and the issue of salary enhancement has not been reflected in the 2025/2026 budget framework paper .
“Therefore, all staff in public universities withdrew their labour as notified on January 9, 2025.” he added .
But in a letter dated February 27,2027 and addressed to Mr Betihamah ,Prof. Eli Katunguka ,the chairperson of UVCF, said their decision to engage the striking staffers was premised on one condition ,”that they all resume work”, which the latter have failed to do.
“… this would create a conducive environment for this engagement to start ,”
This is therefore , to inform you that the meeting you request will not take place unless that condition [ of resuming work] is fulfilled ,” Prof Katunguka who also doubles as Kyambogo vice chancellor said .
In a communication to staffers on Thursday , Mr Walter Okot ,the chairperson Gulu University Academic Staff Association and also co-chairperson of FASPU in Northern Uganda ,said well as they received the guidance and showed willingness to call off the strike , they resolved to first convene another FASPU/ PUNTSEF general assembly this coming Monday ,March 3.
“ …. We therefore appeal to members to remain calm as we work around the clock to ensure that our interests are taken into consideration while we balance the interests of the students ,” he said
The striking workers from various public universities including; Makerere , Kyambogo University, Busitema University, Soroti University, Lira University, Gulu University, Makerere University Business School and Mbarara University of Science and Technology want the government to increase salaries of all the university staff in PSU 5 to PSU15.
The salaries of professors and associate professors was increased to 100 per cent in the 2019/2020 budget. They claim government promised to increase their salary later, but when the Covid-19 pandemic came, government asked them to be patient.
To date, nothing has happened as earlier promised, the university staff complain. Background In 2015, President Museveni directed for salary enhancement of teaching staff in public universities, with professors earning Shs15 million per month each. The other staffers’ enhancement would subsequently, according to Mr Museveni’s directive. Since then, the staff in public universities have been staging numerous on and off sit down strikes to compel the government fulfill its pledge, but all in vain.
(for the pics , you can use Prof Eli Katunguka or those of Makerere or Gulu universities