Makerere students' demo paralyzes business

By Alfred Byenkya

Makerere University private students on Thursday morning protested the 100% tuition fees policy.  Under this policy, students are required to pay 100% of the tution before allowed any course work.

The strike, which paralyzed lectures and business around campus started at around 10am.  

They angry students shouted from their respective halls of residences before converging at the Senate building and resolved to march to Parliament.  

“Let us go to Parliament and meet the committee on education or the Speaker. They are telling us to pay 100% of tuition fees by March 27. We think this is unfair to me and all of us. Most of us can’t pay sh1.5m in 6 weeks of the opening of the semester as the policy stipulates,” said Edson Tumwine, a student.

The students clad in their red gowns carried placards and sticks as they proceeded to Wandegeya shouting: “We want Ddumba out of Makerere.” Prof. Ddumba Sentamu is the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University.

Shop keepers in Wandegeya closed their business for fear that the striking students would steal their merchandize.

 “I have closed down my shop until when the situation normalizes. These strikes always affect our businesses,” said Michael Mubangizi, a shop attendant in Wandegeya.

On reaching Wandegeya, anti-riot police from Wandegeya Police Station fired tear gas and blocked them from proceeding to the city center.