Why Kyambogo University suspended guild president and sixteen others

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By Reuben Twinomujuni

On Thursday, March 13, 2014, the Kyambogo University Council approved the Financial Management Manual, which was later amended on June 2, 2021, to streamline tuition fee payments and the subsequent planning and management of university operations.

The policy states that all students must pay 100% of their fees by the end of the sixth week for those who joined the university before 2021, before the amendment of the manual. Those who joined after the amendment must pay 100% of all fees within eight weeks (two months after the beginning of the semester). A semester is seventeen weeks long, two of which are designated for exams.

Any student who fails to pay full university fees and register within the sixth or eighth week will incur a penalty fee called the late payment fee of sh50,000. Furthermore, any student who, by the end of the sixth or eighth week of a seventeen-week semester, has paid at least 50% of all the fees must ensure payment of all fees by the tenth week of that semester to avoid missing the end-of-semester exams. This policy applies to all undergraduate and graduate students.

Students have up to twelve weeks out of a total of seventeen to fulfil their financial obligations. Out of the five weeks remaining, two are reserved for exams.  For example, for a Diploma in Sign Language Interpretation, where the guild president is a student, students pay sh350,000 tuition fees plus a functional fee of sh497,000, totalling sh847,000. The policy requires them to pay this amount by the twelfth week.

On Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Mr. Benjamin Akiso, the guild president, led a student demonstration at the university, demanding the waiver of late registration fees and allowing students who paid at least 70% of their tuition to sit for exams. The university council's decision, which has been in place for over ten years, couldn't be changed in a week. Frustrated by the lack of response, Benjamin and other students disrupted classes, forcing peers to join their cause and attracting law enforcement attention. With only one week left before exams, this was not the right time for such disruptions.

Furthermore, the nature of these demonstrations is not entirely genuine. For instance, in this specific demonstration, of the seventeen students suspended, six are government-aided students. Some others have paid their fees, while others can pay, yet they still relish the thrill of participating in the demonstrations.

Some students misuse their fees, intending to pay as the semester progresses. They fail and engage in these demonstrations, compelling everyone to take their side. Therefore, guidance on payment deadlines and dates is needed.

Most students want to study and do their best and therefore need an enabling environment to study, progress, and complete their work, allowing them to write tests and coursework without disruption. Academic and administrative staff also require this environment to serve students and the country.

Given this responsibility, top management held a meeting on Monday, 28th April 2025, and discussed the alleged misconduct of students who demonstrated and disrupted university operations on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Following Regulation 40 of the Kyambogo University Students’ Regulations, top management suspended these students for one month, effective Tuesday, 29th April 2025, pending a formal hearing before the Students’ Affairs and Welfare Committee.

The writer is the Principal Communications Officer

Kyambogo University

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