Makerere University has finally cracked the whip on students protesting the enforcement of its 2016 fees policy sending two students home. In a statement issued Tuesday, the university accused the two students of organizing and mobilizing fellow students to disrupt activities at the institution. The two suspended students according to the university will have to face the disciplinary committee after investigations are complete.
In addition, the university issued written warnings to a number of student leaders over protests against a policy that demands timely tuition payments. The letters accused the students of inciting others to hold unlawful demonstrations.
Makerere University Fees Policy 2016 requires students to pay a minimum of UGX 200,000 deposit in the first month of the semester. Failure to do so attracts a surcharge, while such students risk being blocked from attending classes or taking examinations. It had been suspended throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and the university now says it is accumulating outstanding student fees that impact essential services.
According to Dr. Winifred Kabumbuli, the Dean of Students, the policy is necessary for “the resumption of the financial health of the university as well as for smooth teaching and learning operations.”.
