Makerere University suspends 15 over strike

Makerere University students protest against what they claimed were poor meals recently.

What you need to know:

  • The students to vacate the university premises by Tuesday, October 25, not later than 5:00pm
  • Students were also warned not to appear on the University premises or participate in any university activities inclusive of lectures, tests and coursework
  • They have also been ordered to vacate their hall of residence (Lumumba)

KAMPALA.

Makerere University has suspended with immediate effect 15 students accused of taking part in a

Makerere students riot over poor quality meals

Led by residents of Lumumba hall, the angry students poured down all the food they had been served for suppe

.

The students, all from Lumumba, the university’s largest hall, are accused of vandalising kitchen property of neighbouring Mary Stuart hall.

A letter by the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dumba Ssentamu, ordered the students to vacate the university premises by Tuesday, October 25, not later than 5:00pm.

"It has been brought to my attention that on the evening of October 19, 2016 at or about 6:30pm, you....a resident of Lumumba hall, incited students and invaded Mary Stuart kitchen serving counter. You destroyed property including; chairs, cups and plates....." the statement read in part.

The students are said to have carried food from the serving counter and poured it at the entrance to Mary Stuart Hall, contrary to rules and regulations B(9) and 9(1 a) that govern the institution.

Those suspended are Donart Nayebare and Aziz Tworo; both of Electrical engineering, Fahad Ndugwa (Forestry), Joseph Mugume (Arts) Solomon Taremwa (Law), Francis Kayiira (Arts), Timothy Mabule and Ayesige; both of Civil Engineering.

Others are James Kigenyi (Pharmacy), Daniel Wabugoya (Law), Simon Wanyera (Education), May Francis Abit, and Samuel Kigula, Kassim Rashid Njalira (Veterinary Medicine), Rodgers Ashabahebwa (Electrical Engineering).

"Your case will be presented to the University Disciplinary Committee. You will be informed of the hearing date," the statement said.

The students were also warned not to appear on the University premises or participate in any university activities inclusive of lectures, tests and coursework.

They have also been ordered to vacate their hall of residence (Lumumba) and hand over hall property to the Warden and academic property to their respective school Dean of students.

Background
On October 20, resident students of Lumumba, Mary Stuart and Complex halls went on strike protesting poor quality of meals served. Led by residents of Lumumba Hall, the angry students poured down all the food they had been served for supper.

In 2014, Makerere University stopped providing meals to government-sponsored students in halls of residence, and outsourced the catering services to private firms. The institution wanted to focus on its core functions of teaching and research.

Under the new system, students from different halls of residence were grouped to share service points. For instance, residents of Mary Stuart, Complex and Lumumba halls have their meals at Mary Stuart hall; Livingstone shares a serving point with Africa Hall, unlike in the past, where students had meals at their respective halls of residence.