Makerere University academic staff have implored the varsity to compel the finance ministry to pay their salary and allowance arrears by tomorrow.
Addressing the media earlier today, the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Chairperson Dr Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke said their welfare had been thrown into jeopardy by the delayed salary remittances from the ministry.
‘’We request the government through the ministry of finance to pay us before tomorrow ends,’’ Dr Kiggundu said, adding: “we have no problem with all our salaries being handled by the Government however, in case of any delays, we suffer a lot.’
He said the teaching staff had not been paid for the month of June, in addition to spending five months without getting incentive allowances, prompting them to take loans to cater for their day-to-day needs.
Asked about his plans in the event the ultimatum is not complied with, Dr Kiggundu said that was his guarded secret.
“When the time of crossing the river comes I know whether to use a canoe or a ship but I won’t let you know my strategy now,” he said, before imploring the university management to always present their budget and proposals on time to enable the authorities respond promptly.
On a lighter note, Dr Kiggundu hailed the University Council for adopting health insurance for its staff.
“This will begin with only the employee and maybe add on some other beneficiaries who are under the employees care,” he adding that the cover will ease the burden on medical expenses, which are currently being met by the individual staff.
He also took time off to recognize the new education ministers: Janet Kataha Museveni, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo and Rosemary Seninde, saying MUASA would work cordially with the new ministerial team.
“All are educationists and MUASA is ready and willing to work hand in hand to provide them with expertise as required,” Dr Kiggundu said, before calling for an improvised curriculum and the teaching of sex education.
