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The row began shortly before Christmas when Makerere University dismissed 45 members of its academic staff. The purpose of this was said to be to stamp out indiscipline. Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe also suspended the chairperson of the Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA),\u00a0Dr. Deus Kamunyu, as well as Barnett Magara, chair of the Makerere University Administrative Association (MASA) and Joseph Kalema, secretary-general of the Administrative Staff Association.<\/p>\n
Nawangwe\u2019s actions have led students to complain that the university is being run by a \u201cvindictive\u201d vice chancellor who is determined not to spare anyone who speaks up. The university reopened for the second semester on January 19 but without the sacked lecturers. The student\u2019s guild has threatened to strike if the current standoff is not resolved swiftly.<\/p>\n
The suspended lecturers have roundly criticized Nawangwe\u2019s management style and accuse him of victimization.\u00a0Deus Kamunyu said he felt he had been targeted for some time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started last year in April. I have been waiting for this kind of action \u2014 because I started asking questions that are critical on the running of an institution, to maintain the well-being of the workers and to make sure that every worker is respected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read more:\u00a0EU pushes for greater respect for human rights in Uganda<\/p>\n
Nawangwe has rejected accusations that he was acting like a dictator.<\/p>\n
\u201cI studied a little bit of philosophy and political science and I know what dictators are. If I was a dictator, a lot of things could have happened in this university.\u201d He remained adamant that the sackings had been necessary as a disciplinary measure.<\/p>\n
\u201cCalling me a dictator, I believe, are\u00a0people who have become\u00a0used to impunity and indiscipline. There must be sanity within the university.\u201d<\/p>\n