What next for dismissed Kyambogo Guild president?
Dismissed: Kyambogo University Guild President, Benjamin Akiso
What you need to know:
- The dismissal of Akiso from Kyambogo University has attracted condemnation from a section of leaders from the National Unity Platform (NUP) that the former subscribes to.
Benjamin Akiso, the Guild President of Kyambogo University who on Friday Morning(July 4) received a dismissal letter from University management over alleged breach of peace, contrary to the University Students’ Regulations of 2003 as amended in 2016, among other offences, said he would seek legal redress to ensure his academic journey is not shuttered.
Mr Akiso, a second-year student pursuing a Diploma in Language and Interpretation, who spoke to this publication on Friday afternoon, confirmed that he had received a letter of dismissal from the management of the University following an April 23, 2025, student protest against what he termed as unfair tuition policies.
“The administration summoned us to prepare a defence before we could appear before the disciplinary committee of which we had to go there on June 4, 2025. We presented our defence and yesterday, (July 3) I received a call from the legal department of the University at around 6 pm to pick the ruling. The ruling was that, I’m had been dismissed from the University. I picked the letter in the morning hours of Friday, July 4. I got in touch with some of the students suspended over the same issue,” Mr Akiso said,“adding, “We are going to try the legal means. I plan to meet with my lawyers on Monday and decide on the way forward.”
In May 2025, the University suspended 17 students, including Mr Akiso for their involvement in a protest.
The students were suspended with immediate effect for allegedly disrupting the operations of the university during a demonstration held on April 23.
Akiso explained the protest was triggered by the alleged failure by management to respond to his suggestion that students who had paid 70 per cent of tuition be allowed to sit for examinations, given the hard economic times.
He also suggested that management waive the surcharge of Shs50,000 that students who don’t clear tuition within the first six weeks of a semester are reportedly subjected to.
In a statement dated July 4, 20205, the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, Prof Eli Katunguka, noted that Akiso had been dismissed from the University with immediate effect after being found guilty of breach of peace contrary to Regulation 20 (a) of Kyambogo University Students’ regulations 2003 as amended in 2016.
Other offences slapped against him according to the statement include mounting of Roadblocks contrary to Regulation 19(b) and insubordination to the University authority, contrary to Regulations 18 and 15 (c) of Kyambogo University Students’ Regulations 2003 as amended in 2016.
“At its 111th meeting held on June 27, 2025, the University Council received and considered a report from the Students Affairs and Welfare Committee which recommended dismissal, suspension, and warning to the 25 students who appeared before the committee and were found guilty levied against them, ”the statement read in parts, adding, “ Accordingly, Mr Benjamin Akiso, Registration Number 24/U/ SLI /02832/PD was dismissed from the University with immediate effect for being found guilty of the above mentioned cases charged against him in accordance with Regulation 37(m) in Kyambogo University Student’s Regulations 2003 as amended in 2016”
Prof Katunguka also confirmed that nine students had been suspended from the University for three consecutive semesters with effect from the first semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
The affected students include Muhamed Kayemba, Asaph Muganzi, Abel Murozi, and Ivan Cheywa Kiptoo. Others are Timothy Mwesigwa, Emmanuel Okello, Pascal Brian Okello, Ivan Kawooya, and Pius Muzahura.
In addition, Frank Kansiime and Julius Nanziga were suspended for one semester, nine students were given a warning, and three students were acquitted.
“To that effect, all students who have been dismissed or suspended from the University are prohibited from accessing the University premises, attending academic and extracurricular activities using the University facilities or making any representation on behalf of Kyambogo University Students’ Guild or University,” Prof Katunguka affirmed.
The dismissal of Akiso from Kyambogo University has attracted condemnation from a section of leaders from the National Unity Platform (NUP) that the former subscribes to.
The party president, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a Bobi Wine, took to his social media platform to condemn AKiso’s dismissal, noting that he was standing up for justice and fairness, which is not a crime.
“The current Guild president of Kyambogo University, comrade Benjamin Akiso, has been dismissed from the University. His crime? Leading his fellow students in a peaceful protest against unfair tuition policies. While we explore legal remedies for this brother, this is a reminder of why we must work hard in unity to put an end to this mess,” Mr Kyagulanyi stated in a social media post.
Mr George Musisi, a City lawyer who is currently vying for Kira Municipality Parliamentary seat on the NUP ticket, said, “We shall challenge the dismissal of Akiso in the courts of law to ensure he gets judicial justice. We have done it before. We have seen increasing draconian use of authority by heads of Institutions.”
