Makerere students petition House over tuition fees

The students have also demanded that Parliament investigates the population of students at the university and the 60 per cent tuition policy. They want the government to expedite the impending students’ loan scheme.

After violent strikes, one marred by looting of shops in Kampala, Makerere University students have taken the battle to Parliament, protesting against the controversial 60 per cent tuition policy.

In a petition presented by the Masindi Woman MP, Ms Jalia Bintu in Parliament yesterday, the students called for an investigation into the alleged abuse of funds at the university. They said many parents can not afford to fulfill the new fees policy.

The students have also demanded that Parliament investigates the population of students at the university and the 60 per cent tuition policy. They want the government to expedite the impending students’ loan scheme.

The junior minister for education, Mr Kamanda Bataringaya, told a committee of Parliament last week that more than Shs26b was needed to start the scheme.
Due to financial constraints that have rocked the university, the administration decided to introduce a new tuition deadline which requires them to have paid 60 per cent of their tuition fees within the first six weeks of the semester.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga forwarded the petition to Committee on Education. The committee is expected to conduct public hearings next week.

The university administrators, Ministry of Education officials and students are expected to appear in the committee. A committee report will be debated in the House before a final decision is taken.

ymugerwa@ug.nationmedia.com