Steven Galogitho’s tear-dropping expulsion story is back as subject to discussion by university publics.
The story of Makerere University’s 61st guild president whose dream of being a medical doctor was ruined following an expulsion from the university is one that can’t be evaded.
Galogitho’s frustration was amplified by the fire that recently gutted Makerere’s ivory tower, bringing him (Galogitho) back to the scene as an unsung hero.
After twenty six years of fruitless trials, Galogitho’s comment about the ivory tower incident brought in rays of hope into his tunnel.
Friends of Galogitho started a fundraising campaign that has seen him enroll into Drake University for his first course.
Like Galogitho, a number of students have been faced with the same bitter pill especially during Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe’s tenure.
With the current regime at Makerere University, any outspoken student activist has either a warning or a suspension letter.
Galogitho’s story should send Makerere University into rethinking student suspensions.
During the Makerere University fees must fall protests, some students did tryout fixing their feet into Galogitho’s shoes.
Siperia Molly Saasirabo, one of the ringleaders of the 2019 fees must fall protest was slapped with a suspension that put her mental health at stake.
Siperia lost her Mastercard sponsorship and her student status at Makerere forcing her to find a way out of the country.
Prior Siperia’s suspension, Obedgui Derrick, renown former strike machine at Makerere had been suspended too. Obedgui’s suspension was later recalled after a year of no study.
Many more Makerere University students have continued to be suspended for leading protests just as Galogitho did.
Galogitho’s story shades light onto the frustrating life suspended students live.
According to the Makerere University rules and regulations, students can engage in protests “only in accordance with the laws of Uganda provided the vice chancellor has been informed at least 24 hours in advance and police permission has been granted.”
Breach of the protest regulations results into disciplinary proceedings.
However, with continued suspensions, Galogitho’s frustration will continue to live but in different homesteads.
