Makerere University Strike Escalates As Security Officer Send Death Threats

Tensions are mounting at Makerere University as staff continue their strike over delayed salary harmonization, while disturbing new allegations of death threats from security officials have emerged. Staff members are protesting the university’s failure to align their salaries with those of their peers at other public universities, a disparity they argue is both unjust and unacceptable.

The situation took a darker turn when reports surfaced that Mulindwa Musa, the Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) and Deputy Chief Security Officer at Makerere, allegedly issued orders to police officers to “shoot to kill” any staff attempting to lock university buildings during the strike. These threats were reportedly made in a telephone conversation with the chairperson of the National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI), Makerere branch, on October 12, 2024.

A letter dated October 15, 2024, from the chairpersons of three staff associations—Dr. Robert Kakuru of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA), Bennett Magara of the Makerere Administrative Staff Association (MASA), and Isaac Okello of NUEI—was sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) outlining the threats. The letter also claimed that efforts to report the incident to Makerere University Police Station were blocked by the officer in charge, ASP Ndegezi Patrick, who refused to record the case or issue a reference number.

“This threat has been duly reported to Makerere University Police Station, but ASP Ndegezi Patrick has refused to record the case,” the letter reads.

The staff leaders have called on the IGP to investigate the matter and take swift action against Mulindwa. Attempts to reach Mulindwa for comment have been unsuccessful, while Police Spokesperson Kituma Rusoke was also unavailable for comment, stating he was in a meeting.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, acknowledged the letter and promised an investigation into the allegations, though he cautioned that the claims had yet to be substantiated. “I have seen the letter, but the authors do not substantiate their allegations. All the same, we will investigate,” Nawangwe said.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, SSP Patrick Onyango, condemned the alleged orders, describing them as illegal and contrary to police procedure. He advised the affected staff to report the matter directly to the Kampala Metropolitan Police for proper handling. “Orders don’t come like that; the instruction is to protect life and property, not to take life. If that lecturer was called, they should come to us so we can address it properly,” Onyango said.

The allegations come as Makerere University staff remain resolute in their industrial action, which they began earlier this month. The strike stems from the university’s failure to meet its commitment to harmonize salaries with other public universities by September 2024. The staff argue that professionals with similar qualifications are receiving vastly different pay, with some Makerere employees earning only half of what their counterparts in other institutions receive.

The staff, in their October 7, 2024, letter to the University Council Chairperson, accused management of failing to honor an agreement reached two months prior to pay harmonized salaries. As the strike continues, the threat of violence and lack of resolution risks further escalation at Uganda’s premier academic institution.