The vice chairperson of the government assurances committee who is also the MP for Kawempe North, Latif  Ssebaggala Sengendo said that they  need the speaker to allow them to meet the striking doctors, prosecutors and Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) to ascertain progress of pledges made to them by government.

Ssebaggala asked the speaker to allow them come out of recess to consult with these agencies including the relevant ministries to in order to find solution to the problems professionals are facing at the government institutions.

He said that they cannot sit back when deaths are being report as a result of health workers strike.

The post Committee to probe government unfulfilled pledges amid public servants strikes first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

I wish to first and foremost convey my greetings to you in the Name of the Almighty God. This week marks my first anniversary on three grounds, first, my first year in office as the L.C.5 councilor under my campaign theme-“your rights, my priority.” Secondly, it marks one year after staging a three days hunger strike peacefully demonstrating against police’s brutality against Col. Besigye and others which was an attack on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Ugandans.

Lastly, as a family at KCCA, we are celebrating our first anniversary. Thank you all for your support and advise I have freely enjoyed from you .May God bless you! On my part, I also pledge to diligently and faithfully serve you without fear or favour, being guided by my campaign theme!

Interestingly, amidst the anniversary mood, I heard media utterances attributed to my good friend, Dr. Tanga Odoi, the chairperson of MUASA-the lecturers association, criticizing me for siding with students and students’ Guild leaders in demanding for exams! He was wondering how Luyiga, a friend to both MUASA and Dr.Tanga Odoi, had decided to side with students to demand for exams. I did this in respect of Article 34 of the constitution-right to education! However provocative those media attacks were, I vowed not to answer back in the media, as he possibly expected, because I achieved the noble goal of ensuring that exams are given!

However, I want to remind him and all those who think like him that I cant compromise justice, rights and freedoms of the many, just for the sake of friendship. Even if it were my mother attempting to infringe on the rights and freedoms of others, I would have opposed her, no matter the consequences! I promise to continue supporting Dr.Tanga and MUASA, as long as their interests do not drastically affect and sabotage the future of innocent students. This is my leadership principle which I won’t and I am not about to compromise for the next four years! Anyways, I am excited to believe that exams will go on, as earlier scheduled since government positively responded to MUASA’s concerns!

Friends, while it’s not my duty to tell you what to do during this examination period, I am obliged to encourage you to attach seriousness and determination to the exams so that you are in position to accumulate good grades. Therefore, on behalf of Kampala Capital City Authority (K.C.C.A) and on my own behalf, I wish you success in your exams, AS WE BUILD FOR THE FUTURE!

Bernard Luyiga,

LC5 councilor representing Makerere to Kampala Capital City Authority

The post Tanga Odoi, Bernard Luyiga in exam row first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

In one of the letter to the lecturers, president Museveni has ordered the treasury to pay the lecturers 16 billion shillings provided the university withdraws a suit against the National insurance cooperation over failure to pay their pension worth 16 billion shillings.

Addressing the university staff general assembly today to review the progress of the strike, muakanizi has said that he can’t release this money because the president has not yet signed this financial year’s budget though passed by parliament.

However the lecturers have insisted that they will not call of their strike that led to the closure f the university on 1^st of this month until their grievances are resolved.

According to Luis Kakinda the spokesperson of the Makerere University staff association, (MUASA) a bidding agreement due for signing this evening between the ministry of finance and the university might help end the strike.

By Isaac Senabulya

The post Finance Ministry not ready to release 16 billion to Makerere staff first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The chairperson of the university council Charles Wana Etyem announced the closure.

The university is said to be transporting students to the city centre, from where they return to their respective homes.

The lecturers refused to return to work demanding a pay rise and an immediate refund of Shs 16.7 billion pension package owed to them by National Insurance Corporation (NIC).

Yesterday the students were blocked by police from marching to parliament to present their petition to The House after lecturers refused to turn up to teach them.

The university has been closed as negotiations continue.

Meanwhile, the United General Assembly spokesperson Louis Kakinda says that the period of closure is to make all parties solve grievances within no pressure of striking.

Ultimate Media

The post Makerere University closed indefinitely first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The revelation follows a release of another Auditors generals report showing that NIC (the National Insurance Corporation) owes MUASA 26.9 billion shillings on their deposit administration scheme. Last year MUASA was claiming 16.29 billion shillings as their savings but NIC denied saying it was less than 16 billion.

This led to a strike that prompted President Yoweri Museveni to intervene, in which he called for an independent audit which was carried out by auditors general earlier this year.

Pending the investigations NIC was directed to remit 10 billion shillings to MUASA as the two institutions wait for a final report.

Now that the report is out, the spokesperson of the MUASA Louis Kagenda says the academic staff have expressed the need for their funds to urgently be remitted without fail.

The university is expected to re-open for the next academic year on the 21^st of August 2011.

By Mugisa Isaac Mathias

The post Makerere University academic staff Association to strike over NIC pension arrears first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

May youth from Makerere University remain unemployed

During a staff meeting held last evening, the lecturers unanimously agreed on the position.

Among the resolutions from the meeting is an immediate payment of their pension under the deposit administration plan, and the addressing of the alleged inequality in allowance distribution, all of which must be resolved before next financial year.

The MUASA chairperson Tanga Odoi says that the manner in which the institution is being run is not professional and must be expeditiously addressed.

The University Vice Chancellor Prof. Venasius Baryamureeba has advised the Association to agree on a common position on the issues raised to ensure the smooth running of the university rather than oppress the strike.

The post Makerere University lecturers threaten to strike again first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.

The assurance was given by the commissioner for insurance in the ministry of finance, Evelyn Nkalubo after NIC announced it has paid more 5 billion shillings to Makerere University as part of the pension claims by the university staff who operated a staff pension scheme with NIC that went sour.

NIC paying to Garang Chopper victims

The University staff are asking for 16 billion shillings they say accumulated between 1996 and 2005, but NIC had refuted the amount, until the lecturers threatened to strike, causing President Museveni to intervene and promise NIC will pay their pension money.

In mid December 2010, the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development Syda Bbumba delivered the first instalment payment of 5 billion shillings by NIC to Makerere University, and now the lecturers are demanding 6 billion shillings.

Nkalubo says the government is working with NIC to ensure the matter is resolved amicably in order to retin trust in the budding insurance sector of Uganda.

The spokesperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) Louis Kakinda confirmed that the 5 billion shillings was deposited onto the university salaries account on Thursday last week, and the staff are awaiting a final settlement to the matter.

NIC managing director Sam Njoroge also promises that the company will continue to cooperate in order to settle Makerere’s claim amicably and satisfactorily. He said the company is committed to paying all valid insurance claims and last year paid out a total of 18 billion shillings in insurance claims.

NIC a former government corporation is now owned IGI, a top rated Nigerian Insurance Company (60%) while the 40% shares are owned by different entities and are traded on Uganda Stock Market Exchange.

Ultimate Media

The post Makerere University assured on NIC insurance payment first appeared on Uganda Multimedia News & Information.