The fifth Kyambogo University Council has promised to work hard and improve the staff welfare in their new term.
The council members said, the staff still go through challenges which affect the smooth running of the university, like the delay of payments of part timing staff members, poor working conditions, delay of payments of retirement benefits, health considerations of staff members among others.
The fourth university council term ended and 18 members of the fifth council were elected previously, sworn in in a swearing ceremony that took place at Kyambogo University presided over by Mr Lawrence Tweyanze the Deputy Registrar Supreme Court.
These representatives of university council include; Professor Elli Katunguka Rwakishaya Vice chancellor, professor. Maria Musoke Deputy Vice Chancellor academics, Associate professor Fabian Nabugooma Deputy Vice Chancellor finance and administration, Associate professor John Baptist Kirabira from Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers, Professor Joseph Mugisha, Dr. Mary Gorretti Nakabugo and ,Ms. Sarah Babirye Lubega from the government.
Others are Dr. Jane Egau Okou from Ministry of Education and Sports, Olive Namazzi Kagobola from KCCA, Dr Robert Ojambo and Dr Grace Lubaale both from academic staffs, Jackson Betihamah from Senior Administrative staff, Dr. Sam Lutalo Kiingi staff with disability, Francis Nsamba from National Union of Education Institutions of Kyambogo University Staff(NUEI), Flavia Niringiyimana from National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda(NUDIPU), Mustapha Achidri from Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr Catherine Wandera and Dr Lawrence Eron both from Senate.
Dr Robert Ojambo the academic staff representative to the council says that their focus in this term of council is to fight for staff welfare.
Dr Ojambo explains that if the staff welfare is dealt with first, it will solve most of the challenges the University is experiencing.
Dr. Grace Lubaale the academic staff representative says this council will also put much effortS in budget allocation for teaching, supervision and community services, appointing academic staff and improving infrastructure.
Prof. Katunguka said the new council will work hard to improve welfare of staff, in light of rousing them to work harder and smarter. Kyambogo has 420 teaching staff and 1,080 non-teaching staff.
Asked by Eagle Online where Kyambogo would get the resources to improve staff welfare, Katunguka says the university would use internally generated funds, by rationalizing expenditure.
Kyambogo spends Shs5.2 billion on top-up allowance annually for staff, according to the university’s deputy vice chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration, Assoc. Prof Fabian Nabugomu.
According to Dr Mary Gorretti Nakabugo the interim chairperson of the new university council, if the welfare of the staff is improved, then the entire Kyambogo university community will benefit since it is the staff that ensure smooth operation of the University.
Dr Nakabugo has been elected as interim chairperson of the University council until when the council is fully constituted. The university council is supposed to be with 24 representatives. However, they have only 18 representatives and they will elect more six members, that is, three from the public, one from convocation and two representatives of students.
