Muteesa 1 Royal University has been indefinitely closed, students sent home, after lecturers fail to end a tools-down strike that has put activities at a stand still at the institution
Prof Arthur Sserwanga the University Vice Chancellor (VC), in a letter dated October 24, says he has closed the institution on advice of the University council.
“Following the staff’s decision to lay down their tools, I have been directed by the University council to close the University effective from today the October 24, 2017 till further notice,” writes Sserwanga.
Trust Kirya, the university Guild President, said University Council held a crisis meeting yesterday and agreed students be sent home to avoid any future chaos that may lead to destruction of property since lecturers had refused to end their strike.
“The decision taken is going to affect students more, and are going to incur extra costs,” Kirya said.
The lecturers, who are demanding salary arrears of four months, accuse the University administration of mistreating staff in several other ways such as improper termination, poor sanitation at the institution , lack of teaching materials and disrespect.
They have also vowed not to return to work until the VC, whom they accuse of orchestrating the problems at the institution, resigns.
This happens when both continuing and fresh students have just reported for their first semester.
The Buganda University has been closed for the second time in a month. The Masaka based University’s lecturers have been on a sit down strike for over two weeks just after the campus was re-opened on October 10- following its closure on September 25.
The students, on September 25, striped accusing the VC of spending more time at the University’s city campus in Kakeeka, Kampala, thus neglecting the main campus.
“Mr Arthur, leave MRU in peace, we are tired of the absence of administration at the main campus,” read one of placards carried by the students.
The University started in 2007 and has three campuses; Kakeeka-Mengo, Mubende and Masaka.
