Makerere University suspends over 12 students
Makerere University has indefinitely suspended at least 12 students that actively participated in vibrant strike over online studying.
On Monday over 50 students clad in scarlet red attire and holding placards demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the University administration over selective online studies being implemented by the University Administration. The University program currently provides for only first-year students to physically attend lectures while other students await the full reopening in five weeks. The remaining students are expected to study online.
The angered students held placards reading “why pay fees why stay at home, say no to online lectures, nursery primary and secondary schools are open: Open Makerere for all” while protesting at the University Hall. Twelve were consequently arrested and released on Tuesday afternoon.
Prior to their release another group of about 30 students also put up a show at the University demanding that their demands for physical lectures for all are met. Still clad in their red gowns while carrying placards,the students attempted to march to Parliament to petition the Deputy Speaker over their plight.
They were chanting ‘Agende Nawangwe’,meaning Prof Barnabas Nawangwe the Makerere University Vice-Chancellor must go, ‘open for all’, however, they were blocked by a team of police officers and ordered to turn back.
Makerere University suspends over 12 students
According to Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the students have been suspended for vandalizing university property, disrupting teaching and learning, inciting violence and physical assault.
“Because of your involvement in the above offensive acts and in order to ensure safety and security of our new students, the University and property, I hereby suspend you from Makerere University with immediate effect. You will be invited to appear before the Students Disciplinary Committee for interaction regarding the matter on a date to be communicated in due course.”
However, the students have vowed not to take it lying law, through their lawyer Henry Byansi they contend that the suspension is illegal and they intend to fight it in the courts of law.
Shamim Nambassa, the Guild President noted that the leadership was going to engage the university management to recall the letters.
On Monday, Nawangwe also suspended two students for vandalism and harassing first-year students.
