Police heighten security ahead of Makerere graduation

Security has been tightened ahead of the 66^th graduation ceremony that starts Tuesday at Makerere University.

A total of 14,829 students will graduate from the university in a four day ceremony.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said police and sister security agencies are on high alert to thwart demonstrations orchestrated by students who missed out on the graduation list.

He, however, did not reveal how many students missed. Enanga was addressing the press on Monday at the police headquarters in Naguru, Nakawa division, Kampala.

Enanga said the University chief security officer Jackson Mucunguzi has been instructed to routinely check, deploy and monitor security at the university to ensure safety.

The development followed an intelligence report issued by Mucunguzi to his superiors at the Kampala Metropolitan Police about the planned demonstration targeting to disrupt the graduation ceremony.

Mucunguzi told New Vision during a telephone interview that, "Those that planned the demonstration attempted to pay lecturers to change their marks but in vain, some did not finish retakes and others did not study at all yet they obtained tuition fees from their parents."

"We shall arrest those that will bring chaos at the university," Mucunguzi said.

Makerere University's spokesperson Rita Namisango could not be reached for comment as calls to her known mobile line went answered by press time.

Counter terrorism police unit will man the long winding queues at the University.

"Two police mobile communication and surveillance vans fitted with long range visual cameras will be stationed outside the University as security officers keenly monitor mammoth crowds streaming into the place," Enanga said.

A number of mobile police cells to detain petty thieves will also be put in place.

 "In light of terror threats, we don't want to take chances. We have our forces and equipment for operational and emergency response ready to ensure that everyone is safe," Enanga said.

Adding that, "No weapons will be allowed at the ceremony, apart from the police," Enanga asserted.

"A total of 2, 241 students will graduate on Tuesday, 4,355 on Wednesday, 4369 on Thursday, and 3,353 on Friday," said Alfred Namoah Masikye, the university academic registrar.

In a recent circular released by Namisango, the degrees will be conferred by Prof. Ezra Suruma, the new chancellor, who was installed on Monday.