Lecturers in the country have given the government a two-week ultimatum from January 1st, 2025, in yet another looming strike action by the Dons.
The lecturer’s body, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), wants the government to pay December salaries according to the agreed terms, alongside all arrears from September, failure to which they’ll proceed on strike on January 15th, 2025.
UASU organizing secretary Onesmus Mutio expressed the union’s disappointment over the government’s failure to honor its commitments.
“The government did not honor the return-to-work formula, and therefore we were forced to go back on strike in November 2024. We agreed that the new salaries for university lecturers would be implemented in December and that we would also receive arrears for October and November,” said Mutio.
In December 2024, the lecturers received their salaries without any increment, despite a directive by Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala to pay salaries and increments agreed upon by the two parties.
The directive aligned with the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement.
“We saw a circular from the PS (Beatrice Inyangala) directing the universities to prepare to pay the new salaries in December, but again, the university dons went for Christmas without the new salary as expected,” added Mutio.
Education CS Julius Ogamba Should Resign
Mutio lamented that the government has twice refused to keep its word, further calling on Education CS Julius Ogamba to resign for failing to implement the payments.
“How can you promise the dons that you are going to pay them, then go back to your office and continue business as usual?” Mutio asked.
The dons’ ultimatum, if affected, would be the first strike action by lecturers in the year 2025.
