Muk council ina secret plan to disband MUASA

Makerere University Council is reportedly in a secret plan to disband the Makerere University Academic Staff Association, MUASA, a move that could see lecturers laying down their tools for the August semester.

The ploy follows recent demands by MUASA, some of which have led to demonstrations at the University. After several strikes engineered by MUASA in respect to demands for salary enhancement, the University Council now claims MUASA has dented the image and reputation of the university.

Information obtained indicates a secret ploy is in the pipeline to disband this body as the council moves in to establish its authority over MUASA.

Given the fact that MUASA is legally recognized under section 68 of the Universities and other tertiary Institutions Act, the approval of its constitution by council, spells doom for the body to retain its powers of organizing strikes without approval.

Council in its sitting this Wednesday is expected to approve this constitution as a tool to water down the powers of MUASA. The University Council is also insisting that MUASA registers as a trade union as recommended by the 2007 Mbaguta Committee on harmonization and enhancement of salaries in public universities.

But is MUASA ready to bow down to this ploy, which if passed will see its power to strike crippled? Although already addressed, the University Council is planning to reiterate its position to the white paper following the visitation committee report, that staff should be appointed on contract whose renewal would be subject to performance.

This move is feared to spark off chaos in the institution, as the laying down of tools by MUASA staff remains imminent.