Makerere invites student leaders for talks over tuition protest
A man jumps past car tyres set ablaze by students of Makerere University, Kampala, who were protesting what they called unfavourable tuition policy on October 23, 2019. security personnel used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the students during the four-day protest. PHOTO BY ALEX ESAGALA
Makerere University management have invited student leaders for talks following the four-day protest against the 15 percent cumulative tuition policy approved by the top governing body, university council last year.
According to the letter dated October 27, 2019 and authored by the acting vice chancellor, Dr Umar Kakumba, the guild president, Mr Julius Kateregga and his council were invited to meet management today (Monday) at 2pm.
"Following the students unrest that disrupted teaching and learning in a few colleges between Tuesday October 22, 2019 and Friday October 25, 2019, this is to invite you and the Guild Representative Council for an interface with the university management on Monday October 28, 2019 at 2pm in the senior Common room, main Building," reads Dr Kakumba’s letter.
In response, however, Mr Kateregga set four conditions management must fulfil before the student leaders attend the meeting.
The conditions include revocation of what he described as unfair suspension of all the students that were part of the protest.
“Revocation of all warning letters to the students in regards to the peaceful demonstration. That the meeting shall not constitute Mr Gordon Murangira and Prof Hisaali Elias,” he said before adding that the university council forms part of the engagement since it is the policy making body with powers to alter policies.
“And that the university council confirms its presence in writing,” Mr Kateregga added.
During the four day protest, over 60 students were arrested while 13 others were brutalized by military and police before they were hospitalised.
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