Makerere University students protest 60% tuition directive

Students are protesting the directive to have 60 per cent of their tuition cleared by the 6th week.

Kampala

Business at Makerere University came to halt yesterday after students ran amok over a directive by the administration that
all must pay 60 per cent of tuition by March 8.

Carrying placards and brandishing tree branches, privately sponsored students under Makerere University Private Students
Association, early in the morning stormed the administrative seat, demanding to meet the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ddumba
Ssentamu, but Police were called in to restore order.

According to a statement from Ms Rita Namisango, the public relations officer, the decision by the administration was
justified, as the university needed money to run its operations and to provide quality education and services to the
students.

Despite police firing teargas to disperse the rowdy students, they re-assembled around the Main Building until 2pm, when a
select group presented their petition to the vice-chancellor’s office.

By press time, minimal calm had returned and Prof. Ddumba was expected to convene a meeting involving student leaders and university management to discuss the issues raised in the petition.

musisif@ug.nationmedia.com