Makerere University faces Indefinite Closure over Unending Strikes
Makerere University faces Indefinite Closure over Unending Strikes
By Serestino Tusingwire
President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday afternoon ordered an indefinite closure of Makerere University due to unending strikes at the East Africa’s oldest Institution.
“I Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda has this 1st day of November 2016, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution and Section 26(2) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended, decided to close Makerere University with immediate effect,” reads a statement he issued on Tuesday.
This came only hours after the university council agreed to some concessions with the striking university staff, urging them to return to work.
Museveni’s directive followed hours of turbulence at Uganda’s oldest university. On Tuesday, the students engaged police in running battles around the campus and neighbouring areas. Police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse rowdy students who fought back with stones.
The students went on strike demanding that lecturers who had earlier gone on strike demanding for nine months accrued arrears to resume teaching as they pursued their demands.
The teachers under their association MUASA, who are protesting nonpayment of their incentive arrears, had on Monday resolved to keep their foot on the ground until their issue is fully settled.
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