Makerere University students strike over internship allowance

Students at Makerere University today morning peacefully demonstrated over the university’s failure to remit their internship allowances.

The students were led by the university guild president, Bala David Bwiruka together with other cabinet members.

Bala had on Wednesday issued an ultimatum to the university management threatening to demonstrate on Friday (today) if the 2,000 affected student’s problems were not solved.

https://www.campustimesug.com/bala-david-issues-ultimatum-to-makerere-university-management-over-internship-money/

Indeed the president kept his word as he mobilized hundreds of students who stormed the main building. Security was tightly deployed under the Chief Security Officer Makerere University, Thomas Kasiimo.

Addressing a press conference, Bala David Bwiruka expressed dissatisfaction on how management was mismanaging funds at the university. He blamed government for failing to priorities the education sector, one reason for the lapse in the university. Bala demanded that a committee of inquiry be set up to audit the accounts of the university.

“They have been telling us that the system is faulty, I request management puts money in the envelope and gives out to the affected students,

“We can’t change our minds today, we either receive our money today or Makerere University is closed’” vowed Bala

 “The university made us pay the money saying it was a priority, how comes receiving the money is not a priority to them?” asked the Information Minister, Davidson Ndyabahika.

The Dean of Students, Kabagambe Cyrianco attempted to quell the situation by appealing to students to remain calm. He told the students that the university bursar had remitted the money the previous day and it was up to the banks to deposit the money to the student’s accounts.

Bala noted to the dean of the Vice Chancellor’s, Ddumba Sentamu behavior was behind the demonstrations. He highlighted of how he attempted to engage Ddumba only to be ignored. He further assured the dean of how the university for over a month had promised to remit the money to no avail.

“How long shall we keep on striking over petty issues such as internship? Why do we want students to first demonstrate before management responds? ” wondered Bala.

“It’s the same university that will set up disciplinary committees to suspend and expel students yet they create the avenues for strikes,” Bala added.

Amidst the chaos, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Academics, Professor Barnabas Nawangwe arrived. The students jubilantly graced him some declaring him the new vice chancellor.

“Arguments are not going to solve anything, let me together with the guild president (Bala
) and the speaker (Jotham Oburobuto) go and check and get back to you,” Nawangwe assured the students.