Makerere University strike: Students want 60% fees payment policy scrapped

Drama ensured when Police headed by the DPC Wandegeya Police station, Brian Ampaire made efforts to read out the letter which highlighted extension of Makerere University tuition payment deadline.

But students rejected the letter and went on with the strike.

Police deployed heavily but maintained calm even amidst confrontations from students that almost called for teargas. 

Makerere University students were demanding for the permanent scrapping off of the 60% fees payment policy.

The 60% policy demands that students pay at least 60% of tuition by the sixth week of the semester. According to this semester’s academic calendar 2015/2016, the 6^th week ends on 5th October 2015.

The students were led by the president Makerere University Private Students Association, Wanyera Simon who demanded that ‘the policy should go forever.’ The student’s guild had asked the students not to respond to the strike since a council meeting was to be held the next day (Tuesday 6th October 2015) with the fees payment policy on table.

The guild had petitioned the University management which on Friday 2nd October responded with an extension of the deadline by a month. Part of the letter signed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe read:

“Management has therefore agreed to extend deadline for fees payment and registration by 01 month with effect from 5^th October 2015 which is the end of the 6^th week of the semester.”..part of the letter read.

However, Wanyera claimed his office had not received the letter and charged at the University ‘for making education only for the rich.’

Davies Mwongoya, a law student said they were tied of striking for the same thing each semester and thus a need for a permanent solution, which is scrapping off of the whole policy.

When the guild president, Bala David Bwiruka, arrived at the Freedom square, scuffles erupted between his loyalties and angry students who accused him of being against them. However the tiger maintained clam.

“I understand the plight of the students. I have a wide experience in leadership,” he said

 “I was expelled because of 60% policy. I understand it more than anyone. There are many draconian policies we want to fight,”

“The extension is temporal, by Tuesday (after the council meeting), we will have a lasting solution.” said Bala.

The university maintains that the policy is intended to help the development process of Makerere.

By press time, the two leaders, Bala David Bwiruka and Wanyera Simon were in a closed door meeting with Dean of Students, Kabagambe Cypriano for a possible solution.

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