By Watera Atai,
NATIONSL
At least seventeen (17) lecturers and non-teaching staff, majority at doctorate level, have dropped the mic at Uganda’s oldest academic institution, Makerere University.
According to a notice from the university’s appointments board dated August 17, addressed to the directorate of Human resource, seven of the 17 staff who have resigned are PhD holders.
Two of those who have resigned are assistant lecturers while eight are non-teaching staff.
Robert Kakuru, the head of Makerere University Staff Association has expressed displeasure over a manner inwhich the lectures are resigning noting that its going to negatively impact the reputation of the institution as well as affects academics at the hill.
He masked the university appointment board and management to act with urgency to ensure that the same does not happen again.
Kakuru who says he was not privy to why the 17 resigned, has further asked the university to work on internal challenges that are pushing away staff.
“People exit organisations for various reasons, the main one being that where they are going is better than where they are coming from. There are many internal dynamics at Makerere University that undermine career growth, and morale of many staff. In such a situation, resignation is an option of last resort, ”Mr Kakuru said.
The resignations comes few days after the university council reappointed Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe as the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University for a second five year term a move that was ardently opposed by a section of the lecturers.
However, the University Secretary Yusuf Kiranda said the resignation does not affect the institution arguing that there are many qualified people willing to work with the university.
He argues that the resigned employees have not been adhering to the university chancellor’s directives on teaching among others.
The Makerere University VC, Prof Nawangwe said some of the above mentioned staff resigned years ago and have since been replaced.
“Resignation is normal. Some of those on the list resigned as far back as two years ago and were already replaced. It just took the appointments Board a long time to formally accept their resignations, ”Prof Nawangwe said.
List of resigned staff
● Dr Gilbert Maiga, Associate professor, Information Technology
● Dr Violate Okaba Kayom, Lecturer-Paediatrics and Child Health
● Dr Samuel Mugabi Nsereko-Lecturer-Radiology and Radiotherapy.
● Dr Deogratious Amos Mwaka-Senior lecturer-Internal Medicine.
● Dr Danstan Kalanzi- Lecturer Dentistry
● Dr Joseph Mutesasira – Dental Technician
● Dr Mark Muyingo Tamusange-Lecturer, Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
● Mr Samuel Godwin Isa Ass. Lecturer, Architecture and Physical Planning
● Mr Joshua Justin Kidaaga Ass.lecturer-library and information
●Mr Adrew Wabwezi- Academic librarian
● Tito Bwayo-Driver
● Mr Eryau Eboku Moses -Chief Custodian School of Law
● Mr Eria Musali-Technical assistant-Biochemistry
● Mr Mark Kabaseke Rujumba-Web Administrator
● Mr Peter Ogwang-Senior library assistant.
● Ms Benny Kaitesi-Sanitary cleaner
● Mr Jude Muhairwe-Custodian
Reports indicate that many of these staff have since gone for greener pastures in private universities and other foreign universities rivaling Makerere.
