Kyambogo University is stirring controversy with its recent policy update, which has sent shockwaves through its staff and student body ahead of Semester II Examinations. The directive, outlined in a communique dated May 9th, 2024, and signed by Acting University Secretary/Accounting Officer Arthur Katongole, prohibits staff members from facilitating exams for students who haven’t fully settled their tuition fees.
This marks a significant departure from previous practices, where staff members would act as guarantors for students with outstanding fees, pledging to cover the costs using their own allowances or teaching claims. However, effective immediately, this practice has been discontinued, with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance & Administration) and the University Secretary declining requests from staff wishing to stand surety for students or themselves.
The rationale behind the new policy emphasizes the importance of timely fee payments, aligning with Kyambogo University’s Examination Regulations, which mandate that only registered students, those with cleared fees, are eligible to participate in exams.
While the university urges students to prioritize settling their fees before the exam period, concerns linger regarding unforeseen circumstances that may hinder timely payments. Additionally, the impact on students who rely on guarantors for legitimate reasons remains uncertain, raising questions about the policy’s practical implications and potential consequences.
Some speculate that the university’s move may be connected to broader efforts to improve student-lecturer relations, following past allegations of sexual harassment. Kyambogo University has been under scrutiny for its handling of such incidents, with threats of funding withdrawal from donors and benefactors who criticize the management’s perceived lack of firmness in addressing these issues.
