Over 30 students arrested as Police foils Makerere strike

Over 30 students were arrested as the Army and Police on Wednesday foiled a strike by Makerere University students who were protesting a 15% tuition increment.

The strike at the main campus in Kampala commenced at Mitchell Hall and an hour later spread to many parts of the university and private halls of residence.

Several barricades like this one in Kikoni were erected by the students in roads in and around the university. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Students help Military Police clear debris from a road. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Police leads away a female student from Mary Stuart Hall who was taking part in the protest. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Following the brief strike, the Police deployed heavily at the university and also at students' halls of residences.

"The 15% was agreed upon by the university and the government and this was to last for five years. We have so far moved two years and this only added to the new students for a whole year," the university's communications manager Dr Muhammad Kiggundu said.

Colleagues evacuate a female student who collapsed from inhaling tear gas. Photo by Karim Ssozi

"As the university council, we wanted the money to be more than this but the government refused and told us to lower it so that all students can be catered for in all the different schools," he added.

"We do not want to compromise our standards as we are preparing for the coming 100-year celebrations," Kiggundu said.

A journalist suffers from the effects of tear gas. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Police tussles with a student who resisted arrest claiming he was not part of the protests. Photo by Karim Ssozi

He also claimed that the strike was spearheaded by third-year students as well as students with political ambitions.

"This usually happens during October and November because most of the students are yearning for power and want to be remembered when they contest in February," Kiggundu added.

The student was eventually overpowered and taken away in a Police pickup truck. Photo by Karim Ssozi

A woman shields her son from Police who attempted to arrest him from a restaurant in Kikoni. Photo by Karim Ssozi

A journalist tries to capture the action from a lateral position. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Some of the students New Vision managed to talk to, noted that Wednesday's strike began from the CTF1 building when some students armed with sticks and stones to force their colleagues who were in lecture rooms to join them in the strike they say will last a week.