THE standoff between Makerere University staff and National Insurance Corporation (NIC) is a climax of what has been simmering for long. The university’s academic and non – academic staff are protesting the council’s and the government’s failure to recover the pension funds from the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).

Despite the expiry of their contract five years ago, NIC has reportedly not paid the workers’ money.

The culture of strikes as a way of settling issues is increasingly taking root at Makerere. Many times students take to the streets and the staff lay down their tools when negotiations with the authorities fail. Given that Makerere is a learning institution that grooms the future generation, this approach to resolving conflicts should not be taken lightly.

It should be understood that the staff strike has a ripple effect on the students, who either strike in solidarity with their lecturers or begin to appreciate strikes as an effective tool for resolving conflicts.

When the university council waits for a strike before they can act on the staff grievances, they send a wrong message to the students.

It is through such examples that students learn to adopt strikes as the most effective language that authorities understand.

The university council should take note of the fact that students are keenly watching their actions and might soon borrow a leaf from their lecturers.

University authorities should put administrative structures that facilitate open communication between staff, students and the council. Such structures will ensure that conflicts are resolved through consultation and dialogue.

Jamesa Wangwau