Makerere students strike over poor quality meals

Makerere university resident students from Lumumba, Mary Stuart and Complex halls went on strike yesterday evening protesting poor quality meals.

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 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.

“At the beginning, food was better than what was being provided by government. The quality has since deteriorated as the beans being served contain weevils,” said Lumumba hall chairperson, Gerald Wabugoya Kamanah.

He said the private meal providers are also rude when responding to students’ complaints.

Mary Stuart chairlady Barbara Nakwaggwa told this newspaper that the quality and quantity of food is wanting.

The university's chief security officer Jackson Mucunguzi who calmed the riotous students said the issue will be sorted today.

"I have heard your concerns. The Guild president and hall chairpersons will meet tomorrow and engage food providers to find a lasting solution,” Mr Mucunguzi said, adding that throwing away food was uncalled for.

At Mary Stuart, the Lumumba and Complex hall serving point, food is provided by Finaland and Bar Restaurant. The manager, however, could not be reached for comment.

The university administration privatised meals arguing that feeding students was increasingly becoming expensive yet government had failed to increase the money it paid for feeding its students.
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