Kampala — Kyambogo University has started validating academic credentials of all members of its academic staff as recommended by the ad hoc committee set up by the University Council two months ago.

"We have started screening all academic staff. We want to remain with 'quality Academics' not anyone who has a diploma or higher diploma to claim that she/he is a lecturer," said a member on the validation committee on condition of anonymity.

The committee will be examining academic papers, letters of appointment, identity cards and letters of integration as at the merger of the three institutions (Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo, Uganda Institute for Special Education and Institute of Teachers Education Kyambogo/ITEK) into one University.

The policy recommended a new salary scale based on rank rather than a person's qualification. The adhoc committee recommended an increment of between Shs 100,000-300,000 depending on the qualification. Mr James Bulenzi-buto, the university public relations officer told Daily Monitor that the exercise was in part to ensure that the University remains with qualified lecturers.

"Grading of jobs should be streamlined to facilitate career development to enhance transparency of fulltime employees at the University," said Mr Bulei-buto.

The report also recommends that members of staff who have reached the retirement age should be laid off together with those employed under contracts.

"Members of academic staff who have reached retirement age should be laid off in order to pave way for more competent persons and those on contracts should also be retired," reads part of report.

The committee also observed that casual, temporary and part-time appointments for non-teaching staff be discontinued for the university to cut down its costs.

"Salary for visiting lecturers and guidelines for entitlement to fuel and housing be developed"

The head of the Kyambogo University Academic staff Association, Mr Victor Locoro now says the Friday meeting yielded no positive results and that the university opening hangs in balance.