Makerere University extends fees payment deadline

By Vision Reporter

MAKERERE University students on Monday protested against the tuition fees policy which requires them to pay all tuition and functional fees in the first six weeks of the semester. 

The students were required to have paid all the fees by Friday, 2nd October but petitioned the University to grant them an extension. 

The extension was granted over the weekend but the protests have much to the dismay of the University, gone ahead.

Below is the statement from the University.

We highly condemn the ongoing demonstration by some students.

**PLEASE READ ALL THE POINTS BELOW:

Why?

a) The University Management communicated to the Guild President and the Students Community-the extension of the deadline of fees from 5th October 2015 to 30th October 2015 before they started the demonstration. The Letter to the Guild President on this matter was sent on Friday 2nd October 2015, and another Circular (signed by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe-Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration) on behalf of the University Management was shared with students on Friday 2nd October 2015. In addition, the said Circular was pinned on all students notice boards on Friday 2nd October 2015.  Thus the ongoing demonstration (today Monday 5th October 2015) is uncalled for.

Some Highlights:

b) The Makerere University Council (supreme governing body of the University) chaired by Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, passed the Makerere University Fees Payment policy. For this semester, the Makerere University Council resolved that all privately sponsored students should have paid fees due to the University by the 6th week of the Semester, on Monday 5th October 2015.

c)  The University Management headed by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu was tasked by the University Management to implement the decision of the University Council. It is important to note that the Government of Uganda; the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports; the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development are represented on the Makerere University Council.  The Guild President and Vice Guild President are also Members of the Makerere University Council.

d) It is also important to note that at the beginning of the Semester (in August 2015), the University Management issued communication to students informing them the deadline for payment of fees due to the University (as passed by the Makerere University Council), 6th week of the Semester (to be specific on Monday 5th October 2015).

Why should students pay fees within in the stipulated deadline?
b) It is also important to note that the Semester started in August 2015 and to date, majority of the students have not paid fees, and as such, the University is faced with a challenge of providing the required services to students.
f) The tuition and functional fees are required to ensure that the University provides quality education as well as timely delivery of services to students. The funds are required to top-up salaries for staff; support teaching, learning and research processes; provide scholastic materials; provide equipment for laboratories; among other aspects that are crucial for student learning.
 
Management receives special request to extend the deadline for payment of fees:
 
g) On 30th September 2015 ( a few days leading to the deadline for payment of fees, 5th October 2015), the Makerere University Students' Guild petitioned the University Management to extend the deadline for payment of fees from Monday 5th October 2015 (end of the 6th week of the Semester) for a period of one (1) month.

h) Consequently, the University Management discussed the special request from students and agreed to extend the deadline for payment of fees and registration by one (1) month with effect from 5th October 2015.

i) With reference to above, the new deadline for payment of fees is Friday 30th October 2015.
 
On 2nd October 2015, Management communicated to Students Guild and students the new date for payment of fees:
 
j) Following the special request from the Makerere University Students’ Guild, the University Management extended the deadline for payment of fees from 5th October 2015 to 30th October 2015.
 
k) On 2nd October 2015, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on behalf of the University Management communicated the position to the Guild President.

"Management agreed to extend the deadline for payment of tuition and university fees by one (1) month, from 5th October 2015 to Friday 30th October 2015."

l) The communication was sent to the Guild President on 2nd October 2015. In addition, on 2nd October 2015, a Circular from the DVCFA, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (signed on behalf of the University Management) was pinned on all students notice boards.
 
Advice to students:


m) With reference to the above, the demonstration by some students is uncalled for. The University Management urges all students to pay fees within the extension period (up to Friday 30th October 2015) so that the University continues to provide quality education as well as timely delivery of services to students.
 
WE BUILD FOR THE FUTURE