Students join Makerere lectures' strike

 Military police disperse rioting students. Photo by Godfrey Kimono

Teargas and bullets rocked at Makerere University as students joined a lectures' strike on Tuesday.

The students were demanding for lectures. Military Police swung into action to disperse the rowdy students who lit fire infront of the main building and also damaged some property including vehicles.

The students asked to meet with President Yoweri Museveni instead of the university council.

The students are unhappy because they have not been having lectures since the lecturers went on strike.

Makerere University lecturers under their umbrella body Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) on Monday resolved to continue their strike until their nine months allowance arrears are paid.

During the general assembly of lecturers at the School of Education, they unanimously endorsed the decision to continue the strike in a move they said would solve Makerere's financial problems once and for all.

Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, the University Council chairperson appealed to all lectures to observe and go by the resolutions made on Friday during the council's emergency meeting since the council acknowledged and was committed to pay the arrears but all was in vain.

MUASA general secretary Louis Kakinda said they have persistently given time to the council to sit and review allowances, but for three years they have failed to table the decision.

"We as MUASA, we have decided to continue with the strike until the university pays us for now nine months, from February to date and therefore the university should close so that re-structuring can be thought about," Kakinda said.