The Parliament of the Republic of Uganda will on Wednesday November 27th convene to vote for or against the proposed 15% tuition increment at Makerere University. Among other issues affecting Makerere, the house is also expected to pronounce itself on the university’s alarming state of halls of residence as well as the electoral reforms.
Ahead of the parliament’s vote, the Makerere University Students Guild body has come out to desperately appeal to the legislators, Minister of Education Janet Museveni, the general public and other stake holders to stand in solidarity with them by opposing the policy because they believe it is unfair.
“This vote symbolises an opportunity to provide accessible, affordable education for Ugandans and a chance to eliminate income and other social inequalities that access to education can eradicate for Citizenry. Every M.P sits in parliament because there was an enabling environment for you to acquire the necessary education to do so, despite the other challenges you may have faced. This vote presents the chance to make public education affordable for all Ugandans.” The students’ leaders warned MPs in a statement.
The determined leaders have further cautioned members of the NRM caucus that is they vote in favor of the fees policy, it will automatically translate that they are in full support of the recent brutality that striking students went through while demonstrating against the mentioned policy.
“Should you vote in support of the 15% increment, you also, by implication, sanction the horrific acts of brutality that have surrounded this entire saga. You condone the beatings, maiming, banning of media and the rape allegations that are tormenting your own children.” Their statement reads further.
In their message to Hon. Janet Museveni, the students’ leaders advised her to think about the poor students who could not afford to pay the proposed tuition. They also requested her to act as a mother while deciding on what to do with the matter.
“This is the opportunity to demonstrate the motherliness you espouse. As a good mother, do not sanction an increment that will see the bulk of Ugandan children excluded from University education. As a Mother, use your power to shield, rather than to expose us to a brutal, vicious, extractive system of commodification of education that privileges the wealthy, not the common man.” The students wrote.
The controversial policy was passed last year and it was strongly supported by a seven member committee of students’ leaders who travelled across East African universities to benchmark how issues like tuition increment are handled.
