MPs demand Shs6 billion in salary arrears for Kyambogo University lecturers

Members of Parliament have called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to urgently address the salary arrears of part-time lecturers at Kyambogo University, totaling Shs6 billion.

These arrears affect both discontinued lecturers and those still teaching, who have gone for several months without pay.

The issue was raised by Workers’ Representative Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija during a plenary sitting on Tuesday, 17 September 2024. The following day, Minister of State for Education and Sports (Primary Education), Joyce Moriku, responded, explaining that budget constraints have hindered the payment of these arrears.

“Wages for part-time lecturers are classified as allowances released quarterly, and these funds have suffered significant budget cuts,” Minister Moriku said.

She noted that the allowance budget faced a Shs2.6 billion reduction, which led to the non-payment of part-time lecturers and an accumulation of arrears. For the current financial quarter (July to September), only Shs149 million was released to the university, an amount far from sufficient to cover the outstanding payments.

Moriku also explained that some of the part-time staff were discontinued due to a revised university recruitment policy, which involved advertising vacant positions. Those who did not pass the recruitment process were let go.

Hon. Rwabushaija, however, argued that the university should have prioritized paying off the arrears before recruiting new staff. “The part-time lecturers were needed due to a shortage of full-time staff, yet the university’s Human Resources department directed the recruitment of new part-time staff without addressing the unpaid wages. This shows a lack of consideration for workers,” she said.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, agreed, warning that failure to pay the arrears could lead to legal action, ultimately costing the government more. “We must invest in education and take care of the staff. Let us settle the arrears before dismissing them,” he urged.

Workers’ Representative, Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi, emphasized that the dismissed staff are entitled to their salaries.

“Regardless of how they were recruited, they deserve to be paid. Before addressing staffing gaps, the first step should be correcting this mistake,” he said, urging the minister to provide a clear plan for how the Shs6 billion will be secured.

Hon. Brenda Nabukenya, the Luweero District Woman MP, highlighted the need for greater government investment in human resources at Kyambogo University, noting that current staffing levels stand at just 30 percent.

“Quality education cannot be achieved without proper staffing. A department must have senior lecturers, assistants, and professors,” she said.

Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho (FDC, Jonam County) called for a comprehensive audit of all public universities, citing similar challenges faced across institutions.

“If we decide to audit these universities, it must cover all public institutions of higher learning,” he said.

The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, informed the House that oversight visits to public universities have already been conducted, and the reports are ready for presentation.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa directed that the reports be tabled next week for further discussion.