Mak students threaten continued protests until fees increment is halted

By Clare Muhindo & Innocent Anguyo

Students of Makerere University students have resolved to continue protesting the institution revokes its decision to increase fees for joiners in the 2014/2015 academic year under the private sponsorship scheme.

Earlier this year, the Makerere University Council, the institution’s supreme decision making organ resolved to hike tuition fees by 10% for all students joining under the private sponsorship scheme in the next academic year.

The next academic year starts on August 16.

In an interview with the New Vision on Tuesday, Ivan Bwowe, the Makerere University Students’ Guild President said his cabinet would not “cease demonstrating” until the University council heeded to their call.

On Monday, Bwowe led hundreds of Makerere University students in a six-hour demonstration against the institution’s decision to hike tuition fees by 10%.

Subsequently, Prof John Ddumba Ssentamu, the Makerere University Vice Chancellor told the students stop demonstrating and consider writing to the University Council, requesting for the increment to be revoked.

Jackson Mucunguzi, the Makerere University police boss has warned the students against destabilizing the university, saying any attempt to disrupt business at Uganda’s premier university will be crushed.