Makerere University has extended the opening date for semester one of academic year 2016-2017.
This is the second time in a space of one week that the opening is postponed following a strike by the non-teaching staff of public universities. They are demanding for salary arrears amounting to over 56 billion Shillings.
The university had planned to open on August 6, for new students and August, 13 for continuing students. The date was revised and both fresh and continuing students were expected to report tomorrow August 13, anticipation that the impasse created by the strike would be resolved.
But by yesterday, the non-teaching staff under the umbrella of Public Universities Non-Teaching Staff Executive Forum (PUNTSEF) maintained that they would not return to work until their grievances are addressed.
In a letter dated August 11, the university vice chancellor, Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu, says the opening date has been extended after consultations with the University Council.