Should men pay girlfriends’ tuition?
Sep 18, 2008
HMM. My brother, I don’t know. What has that got to do with the military? Anyway, I would not even think about such an arrangement. It is a kind of exploitation on both sides. It would only be acceptable if it is done with the consent of the girl’s parents.
Maj. Paddy Ankunda, army spokesman
HMM. My brother, I don’t know. What has that got to do with the military? Anyway, I would not even think about such an arrangement. It is a kind of exploitation on both sides. It would only be acceptable if it is done with the consent of the girl’s parents. I strongly believe love is unconditional and should not be bought with tuition fees.
Emmanuel Ssendawula, Buganda Deputy Katikkiro
If we were in a serious relationship and I had money, I would consider paying tuition fees for my girlfriend. Otherwise, I would not go in for such a commitment because there are strings attached.
Samson Ssenkaaba, (XENSON) painter, musician
If I had the money, why not. If I can give financial assistance to people who are not related to me, I would gladly do it for my girlfriend. I would do it without expecting any rewards.
Wilson Bugembe, pastor
That’s funny. If I am sure the lady is going to be my wife I would not mind paying her tuition fees. Christians do not look for girlfriends, we look for wives. By the time, I came to such a decision I would have developed enough trust to consider someone a future wife.
Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, Makerere University
When I was growing up there was no such a thing as girlfriend. I heard of girlfriends in Kampala. I am against the idea of people paying tuition fees for their girlfriends at university. It is immoral because there is no basis for such a friendship other than money and lust.
Erias Lukwago, lawyer and MP
Under the law, the obligation of paying fees is for the parents. But if a boyfriend comes in to assist, they may not necessarily offend the law. But there should be some form of understanding between the boyfriend and the parents of the girl. If it is a sugar-daddy paying that makes it a sort of sex trade — the primary objective of sugar-daddies is to get sex in return for paying tuition.
Masta Robbo radio presenter, Super FM
If I had proof the girl was committed to me, I would gladly pay for her tuition fees. But if they were questions about her loyalty, I would not bother. It would not be a worthwhile investment.
Hon. Mariam Nalubega, youth representative
University girls should get fees from their parents. I would consider many issues. Is a girl an orphan? What is her social status? If the only source of help is the boyfriend, it would be un-avoidable.
Ssebaana Kizito, president general, DP
I would pay my girlfriend’s tuition if I was younger, working and had intentions of marrying her and knew she could not afford it. I would pay for the sake of getting an educated wife. You may not know if she will stay or run away after university, but that is a risk you have to take.
Brenda Kugonza, gender expert, Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention
The root cause of such a trend could be domestic violence and breakdown of families. If a girl cannot afford fees, she will turn to a man who is willing to pay. But in such a relationship the girl is dis-empowered. She cannot make a decision because she is dependant on the man. She will not even have the power to make decisions on her sexual reproductive rights — condom use and when to have sex is determined by the man. The result will be a cycle of violence and family breakdown.
Compiled By Stephen Ssenkaaba
and Arthur Baguma
HMM. My brother, I don’t know. What has that got to do with the military? Anyway, I would not even think about such an arrangement. It is a kind of exploitation on both sides. It would only be acceptable if it is done with the consent of the girl’s parents. I strongly believe love is unconditional and should not be bought with tuition fees.
Emmanuel Ssendawula, Buganda Deputy Katikkiro
If we were in a serious relationship and I had money, I would consider paying tuition fees for my girlfriend. Otherwise, I would not go in for such a commitment because there are strings attached.
Samson Ssenkaaba, (XENSON) painter, musician
If I had the money, why not. If I can give financial assistance to people who are not related to me, I would gladly do it for my girlfriend. I would do it without expecting any rewards.
Wilson Bugembe, pastor
That’s funny. If I am sure the lady is going to be my wife I would not mind paying her tuition fees. Christians do not look for girlfriends, we look for wives. By the time, I came to such a decision I would have developed enough trust to consider someone a future wife.
Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, Makerere University
When I was growing up there was no such a thing as girlfriend. I heard of girlfriends in Kampala. I am against the idea of people paying tuition fees for their girlfriends at university. It is immoral because there is no basis for such a friendship other than money and lust.
Erias Lukwago, lawyer and MP
Under the law, the obligation of paying fees is for the parents. But if a boyfriend comes in to assist, they may not necessarily offend the law. But there should be some form of understanding between the boyfriend and the parents of the girl. If it is a sugar-daddy paying that makes it a sort of sex trade — the primary objective of sugar-daddies is to get sex in return for paying tuition.
Masta Robbo radio presenter, Super FM
If I had proof the girl was committed to me, I would gladly pay for her tuition fees. But if they were questions about her loyalty, I would not bother. It would not be a worthwhile investment.
Hon. Mariam Nalubega, youth representative
University girls should get fees from their parents. I would consider many issues. Is a girl an orphan? What is her social status? If the only source of help is the boyfriend, it would be un-avoidable.
Ssebaana Kizito, president general, DP
I would pay my girlfriend’s tuition if I was younger, working and had intentions of marrying her and knew she could not afford it. I would pay for the sake of getting an educated wife. You may not know if she will stay or run away after university, but that is a risk you have to take.
Brenda Kugonza, gender expert, Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention
The root cause of such a trend could be domestic violence and breakdown of families. If a girl cannot afford fees, she will turn to a man who is willing to pay. But in such a relationship the girl is dis-empowered. She cannot make a decision because she is dependant on the man. She will not even have the power to make decisions on her sexual reproductive rights — condom use and when to have sex is determined by the man. The result will be a cycle of violence and family breakdown.
Compiled By Stephen Ssenkaaba
and Arthur Baguma