In a letter addressed to the Chairperson University Council on 2nd August 2022, the President Kyambogo University government sponsored students Ogwal Dicken demanded for an increase in the allowances.
He based his demand on a number of arguments and later threatened the authorities concerned that if the government sponsored students’ allowances we’re not addressed within seven days, they were going to go on a peaceful hunger strike without attending classes.
The prevailing difficult economic situation in the country characterized by persistent increase in prices of commodities and food is the basis for Ogwal’s demand.
Food prices in Kampala are increasing day after day and therefore he petitions that the she.4000 estimated for food daily should be increased to shs. 20,000.
The fact that landlords are now charging higher rent dues than they used to before has depressed many non resident government university students whose living out allowance is estimated at only shs. 257000.
Therefore, the students pray that this be increased to at least shs. 800,000 as most government students are being thrown out of hostels and rentals because they are not able to afford the rent.
According to the letter, most of these students have resorted to desperate measures in a move to meet the high cost of living in these very difficult times.
As such, it is alleged that some female students are giving in to sugar daddies’ seduction as they give them money to meet their every day needs.
The male students are being forced into homosexuality with the older men who are rich enough to provide all that they may need.
It is alleged that the students with disabilities are being neglected and underfunded and yet they too are government sponsored students.
If the university fails to honor the demand of the students, as the letter reads, the government sponsored students suggest that all of them be made residents in the halls of residence and be provided with free meals in the university dining halls.
“We kindly give your office a timeline of one week (7 days) because the students are hungry and have nowhere to sleep. If the above stated prayers are not responded to in the stipulated time, we shall go on a peaceful hunger strike without attending classes,” Mr. Ogwal threatens.
We shall keep you posted about the university’s resolution on this matter or if the government sponsored students will instead go on a hunger strike without attending classes.
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