Following last month’s sacking of lecturers at Makerere University affecting 45 staff members, the University Vice Chancellor has commanded the sacked lecturers to refund all the money paid to them as salaries.
This came after they petitioned parliament over illegal sacking claiming that their dismissal was dubious and unprecedented.
However, yesterday MAkerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Banabas Nawangwe commanded fired lecturers who have not been fulfilling their duties and continued to receive salaries freely to refund all the money they have been earning.
While addressing the media Prof. Nawangwe stated that Makerere University management is officially going to address the lecturers who have been absenting themselves from work but continued earning salaries they haven’t worked for to refund it.
“All those staff we continued paying our money yet they had left the University should refund it. We cannot tolerate staff working elsewhere and earning from us without any service offered.”
Explaining further Nawangwe observed that the process of sacking these errant Makerere University staff was legally processed, noting that the appointments committee followed all the legal procedures before executing the exercise.
In addition, he noted that Makerere University management gave room to every fired staff to appeal against the action in the staff tribunal for a fair hearing.
Meanwhile, Prof. Nawangwe said that staff members who have been going around opening up the University’s secrets without permission, tarnishing the institution’s image will be penalised.
Besides, Mr. Deus Kamunyu the chairperson Makerere University Academic Staff Association stated that the idea of repossessing the lost money is correct and they can’t block it.
“We are aware that some staff who skipped their duties were being paid money for over 4yrs so if the University wants to force those people to refund the money, we cannot go against it. It’s a good move.”
In the same way Kamunyu advised Prof. Nawangwe to close reprimanding fired staff from appealing to the Education Minister.
Earlier on Prof. Nawangwe reprimanded fired staff for skipping the staff tribunal and went on to file an appeal before parliament. He said as Management of Makerere University they are ready to defend themselves before parliament if at the Speaker sermons them.
Also, Mr. Henry Mwebe the University director legal affairs, in the same meeting said that all the money spent on the fired staff will be recovered. Adding that they will use all the necessary steps to regain it while the University bursar calculates the money to be refunded by each staff member.
