Makerere strike: Nine students suspended

KAMPALA-Makerere University has suspended nine students and warned 26 others over the ongoing strike at the university.

The affected include two master's degree students.

"In light of the recent student unrests and protests against the fees policy, Management has taken disciplinary action against some students. Affected students are requested to collect their letters from the office of the Dean of students," the notice released Wednesday said. 

The strike which has now lasted for over a week is premised on a decision by the university management to increase fees by 15%. Students contest the move, saying it will severely affect learning especially of students from needy families.

Earlier in the day, the matter was a major discussion point in Parliament with Speaker Rebecca Kadaga altering the Order Paper to allow for the Minister of Education to present a statement on the student unrest at the university and to highlight on the allegations of the abuse of human rights.

The President on Monday ordered the army, which has been boosting the Police in quelling the strike to return to the barracks.

US embassy and the Uganda Human Rights Commision this week criticised security forces for last week's night raid on the university halls of residences, which resulted in several students getting injured while others lost property.

But the Government accuses students of being used by foreigners and politicians to engage in the strike. First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni said in s statement that the protesting students were using the fees increment as an excuse to stage strikes so as to portray the government in bad light to the rest of the world.

According to Mrs Museveni, Opposition politicians are getting funds from unknown sources and are also paying foreign journalists to come and report falsehoods about Uganda.

Below is a list of students who face suspension and those who have been given warning letters

Suspended

1.      Frank Bwambale , Bachelor of Journalism and communication,

2.      Siperia Saasiraabo, School of Psychology,

3.      Derick Ojambo Wabwire of Bachelor of Record and Archive Management

4.       David Musisi of Bachelor of Commerce.

5.      Seiz Mutatina of Bachelor of Commerce

6.      Ivan Kyeyune of Bachelor of Arts

7.       Simon Ssenoga, Industrial and Organizational;

8.      Job Dhabona of Bachelor of Communality Psychology

9.       Rogers Mbajjo Ssebiraalo of School of Statistics and Planning.   

Warned

1.Marion Kirabo, Bachelor of Laws

2.   Sarah Aminah Namiiro, Bachelor of Conservation, Forestry and Geographical studies

3. Mariam Kyomugasho Mugisha, Bachelor of Science Petroleum, Geoscience and production  

4.  Anah Ashaba, Bachelor of Arts Education

5.  Rodney Kiggundu, Bachelor of Science Computer Science

6. Lydia Omunyokol, Bachelor of Arts Education 

7.  Judith Nalukwago, Bachelor of Dental Surgery

8.  Anitah Musimenta, Bachelor of Industrial and Organizational psychology

9.  Peninah Mwesigwa, Bachelor of Environmental and Geographical Sciences

10. Pamela Nyangoma, Bachelor of arts Education

11. Elith Nabimanya, Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering

12.  Benjamin Ahikirza, Bachelor of Laws

13.  Isaiah Sserwadda, Bachelor of Commerce  

14. Marvin Nyinamanyonyi, Bachelor of Industrial and Fine Arts

15.  Vicent Kayondo, Biological School of Biosciences

16.  EPaphrus Ouma, Social Sciences

17.  Joseph Tumusiime, Social Sciences

18.  Tyson Mutangana, Industrial and Organisation Psychology

19.  Nicky Namisi, Library, and Informational sciences

20.  Allan Mutagubya, Masters of sciences Zoology

21.  Derick Agaba, Arts in Development Economics

22.  Erasmus Oreret, Wildlife Health and Management

23.  Elvis Omoit, Conservation Forestry and Production Technology

24.  Edgar Ayebazibwe, Development Studies

25.  Ronald Waswa, Medical  Radiography

26.  Lukman Bukenya, Masters in Data Communication and Software Engineering