Kyambogo and Gulu University Students React to Government’s Proposal to Scrap Off Meals and Housing Allowances in Universities

Government sponsored students in public universities have through their leaders come out to express their disappointment towards the suggested policy by the government to stop free housing and meals in universities.

Reference is made to the New Vision newspaper published on 27th September 2022 whose cover page boldly communicated the suggestion, as it is assumed that if taken into account, this move will save the country shs.6.12B each year.

It is to be remembered that for the past number of years, government has been giving food and living-out allowances to government sponsored students who also enjoy the privilege of not paying tuition, thanks to their academic excellence recognized through national or sports merit and district level.

Against this background, the Guild president of Gulu University H.E Anyama Alfred Berliner, through a letter addressed to the government sponsored students nationwide on 27th September strongly rejected this move which he called selfish.

There is a high rate of inflation in the country characterized by persistent increase in food and commodity prices. This is attributed to the negative effects of COVID 19.

H.E Anyama claims that even the shs 4000 being provided per day for food and 40,000shs for rent per month is not enough and over time government sponsored students have been thrown out by landlords and starved.

“This attempt will not only yield oppression to us the students fraternity but also awaken a strong opposition from the students at Gulu University and other public universities nationally,” H.E Anyama warned.

Ogwal Dicken, the President of Kyambogo University Government Sponsored Students association says this move by government is rather hopeless as it in entirety ignores the hyperinflation in the country at the time.

He requests that the policy makers first carry out an assessment, analysis and consultations before drawing a conclusion.

“As the government sponsored students of Kyambogo University and the country at large, we shall not allow the government to abscond from their commitment to students, otherwise we are not ready for this setback,” Ogwal noted.

Government sponsorship and all it’s privileges (non tuition payment, food allowances and free housing ) has always been an incentive to encourage excellent performance among students in secondary schools and colleges.

Through their sweat, hard work and commitment, students both from humble backgrounds and from well to do families have secured this sponsorship and others are still struggling to attain it.

As it is understood by many, government sponsorship is a reward for academic excellence and an incentive for better performance in Ugandan schools.