Halt Functional Fees, Reduce Tuition By 30% – Makerere Student Asks Nawangwe Ahead of Online Lectures

As Makerere University prepares to kick off online studies for continuing students and finalists, Waidembe Yusufu, a Makerere University student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Education has petitioned the university Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe to scrap and reduce some fees. 

In a letter seen by Campus Bee, that several university offices have already received, the Makerere University online teaching platform, MUELE is slow and not convenient for e-learning. Waidembe further explained that some students cannot afford buying expensive gadgets like smartphones and laptops, which are important tools for e-learning. 

Waidembe added that the expenses incurred during online classes accompanied by the cumulative 15% tuition increment totally left many students in the previous academic year with no hopes of graduating. Many students, according to Waidembe, missed their end of year II exams due to “online drama”.

In his view, Waidembe thinks that the university should consider reducing tuition for continuing students and finalists by 30% to enable them divert the money to accessing data and acquiring the required gadgets. 

The second year student also wants the university to completely halt payment of functional fees.

“Halt all functional fees to zero and reduce tuition by 30% for continuing students and finalists. This will enable private sponsored students to divert that money on accessing data, laptops, smartphones and charging.” Waidembe’ letter reads in part. 

He further advised the university to provide another learning platform or upgrade the slow MUELE . He further tasked the university to review MUELE’s performance and come up with a solution for students with disabilities. 

Below is his letter;