Muteesa students end strike
OVER 400 students of Muteesa 1 Royal University have called off the two-day strike after the intervention of the Southern Regional Internal Security Officer, Lt. Emmanuel Musinguzi.
By Dismus Buregyeya
OVER 400 students of Muteesa 1 Royal University have called off the two-day strike after the intervention of the Southern Regional Internal Security Officer, Lt. Emmanuel Musinguzi.
Masaka District Security officials led by Musinguzi mediated between the students and the university administration on Thursday, amidst tight security.
Students went on a sit-down strike on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of the deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Elizabeth Kiwalabye, on grounds of poor management.
Speaking in an interview, Musinguzi said some of the students’ demands were hopeless.
“Imagine the students were demanding for things like a pool table and jobs but the grounds related to poor sanitation, the full toilets were reasonable,†he said.
Kiwalabye vowed not to resign.
Concerning non-functional toilets, Kiwalabye said the remaining municipal council sewage truck was grounded.
“It’s not my fault that the sewage truck developed mechanical problems, but we are working on the matter and the toilet issue will be solved,†she said.
Responding to the bushy compound, Kiwalabye said the mowing machine was affected by the fuel crisis.
On the demand for a university Guild Council, Kiwalabye said she had provided a guiding constitution from Makerere University for amendment and that the students were cleared to start campaigns effective last Friday.
She said the university had received 85 computers from the US and that an internet café would be installed.
She alleged that the students were fuelled into striking by some critics who are opposed to her leadership.
“I am aware that there are some forces behind these strikes; the students must know that universities are not run like primary schools and I can not resign over unreasonable and cheap demands,†Kiwalabye said.
She said that private services like salons and barber shops had been closed because universities are not run like open markets.
She said that the University Administration had resolved to have three canteens for students, lecturers and support staff.
OVER 400 students of Muteesa 1 Royal University have called off the two-day strike after the intervention of the Southern Regional Internal Security Officer, Lt. Emmanuel Musinguzi.
Masaka District Security officials led by Musinguzi mediated between the students and the university administration on Thursday, amidst tight security.
Students went on a sit-down strike on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of the deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Elizabeth Kiwalabye, on grounds of poor management.
Speaking in an interview, Musinguzi said some of the students’ demands were hopeless.
“Imagine the students were demanding for things like a pool table and jobs but the grounds related to poor sanitation, the full toilets were reasonable,†he said.
Kiwalabye vowed not to resign.
Concerning non-functional toilets, Kiwalabye said the remaining municipal council sewage truck was grounded.
“It’s not my fault that the sewage truck developed mechanical problems, but we are working on the matter and the toilet issue will be solved,†she said.
Responding to the bushy compound, Kiwalabye said the mowing machine was affected by the fuel crisis.
On the demand for a university Guild Council, Kiwalabye said she had provided a guiding constitution from Makerere University for amendment and that the students were cleared to start campaigns effective last Friday.
She said the university had received 85 computers from the US and that an internet café would be installed.
She alleged that the students were fuelled into striking by some critics who are opposed to her leadership.
“I am aware that there are some forces behind these strikes; the students must know that universities are not run like primary schools and I can not resign over unreasonable and cheap demands,†Kiwalabye said.
She said that private services like salons and barber shops had been closed because universities are not run like open markets.
She said that the University Administration had resolved to have three canteens for students, lecturers and support staff.