Makerere students strike enters day two

Students are supposed to pay at least 60 percent of the total fees in the first six weeks of the semester

A students' strike at Makerere University today entered the second day with more acts of vandalism aimed at capturing the institution's attention, amid heavy police deployment.


The students were demonstrating over the 60 percent fees payment policy, which has in the past sparked off numerous strikes.

According to the policy, students are supposed to pay at least 60 percent of the total fees in the first six weeks of the semester and all the fees by the tenth week of the semester.

Therefore all students were required to have paid all their fees by last Friday, according to a February 10th communication to the students from the university.

Students however argued that the policy is unfair. "We were not allowed to sit for our first of tests, because we hadn't paid the 60 percent," a student who preferred anonymity said.

Police dispersed the rowdy students with teargas. And by 1pm, calm had been restored to the university.

 
he students striking has paralysed activities at the niversity for a second day running hoto by ary ansiime The students' striking has paralysed activities at the University for a second day running. Photo by Mary Kansiime

 

tudents stranded outside the niversity main gate during the strike hoto by ary ansiime Students stranded outside the University main gate during the strike. Photo by Mary Kansiime

 

Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu, the institution's vice chancellor said it was inappropriate for the students to go on strike today, yet administration had halted their tests to allow for dialogue with the University council.


"University council will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow (Thursday). I call upon students to remain calm," he said.