Makerere to probe delayed students' allowances

By Shamim Saad

Makerere University is to institute an investigation into the delayed payment of living-out allowances for government-sponsored students, a month after the money was disbursed.

According to the chairperson of Makerere University Council, Dr. Charles Etyem, the university only learnt of the plight of the students from the story published in Saturday Vision.

“I was not aware of this issue, I have just read it in the press,” said Etyem. “I think there is an internal problem which needs to be investigated.”

The university council is to meet on Thursday and the issue is likely to be high on the agenda.

Each government-sponsored student not residing in the seven halls of residence is paid a living-out stipend of sh500,000 per semester. Although the Government disbursed the money in early September, sources at Makerere University say less than 100 students have accessed their money.

The affected students are currently struggling financially and some have allegedly been informed by their banks that their accounts had been closed.