Makerere University Female Guild leaders in the 87th Guild government have appealed to the university administration to increase on the number of on campus halls of residence for female students.
The caucus cited several issues that affect female Makerere students in accessing university services and these included accessibility to university facilities, Security and safety of female off campus students in areas like Kikumi-Kikumi, Katanga, Kikoni, monetary exploitation and high rent/hostel fees and participation in university activities.
More detailed reasons are quoted below;
The Access to university services and facilities.
Whereas all students are free to access and utilize the various university services such as the University library, Internet Kiosks and Sports Grounds, these services and facilities are more accessible to on campus students as opposed to off campus students. As a result of the limited on campus residential capacity, Female students are denied the opportunity to enjoy and maximize the Makerere on campus full experience outside their lecture rooms.
Security and safety of female off campus students
Majority of the female students reside in the neighboring communities of Kikoni, Kikumi-Kikumi, Katanga, kagugube and Wandegeya. These areas are highly characterized with insecurity expressed through; robbery, sexual Harassment and Assaults. Such circumstances pose a threat to the lives of female student which has a direct impact on their academic concentration and general progress.
Monetary Exploitation and high rent/hostel fees
Unlike University Halls of residence which are constructed with the sole purpose of providing safe and affordable accommodation services to students of Makerere University, Private Hostels and Rentals are constructed with the sole purpose of maximizing profits. As a result, Students are charged exorbitantly for these off campus accommodation services. In fact, many are giving in to sexual and emotional exploitation as a means to raising the required Hostel and rent fees.
Participation in University activities.
Female participation in University activities such as sports and Guild leadership is low partly because not many female students reside on campus. It could be argued that activities such as guild leadership are open to all students regardless of their residential status, However, hall attachment has proven to be one of the key determinants of a political candidate’s success in Makerere University.
According to the University Demographic report as of February 2022, 51% of the students in Makerere are female as opposed to the 49% male students. Whereas, the majority of students are female, this is not reflected in the on-campus accommodation of the University.
Makerere University Kampala prides in a student’s accommodation policy under which the university manages students’ Halls of Residence. The university has nine (9) on campus Halls of the residence for the Undergraduate students who are the majority. Of the nine, six (6) Halls i.e. Livingstone Hall, Lumumba Hall, Mitchell Hall, Nkrumah Hall, Nsibirwa Hall and University Hall are for male students while only Three (3) Halls i.e. Africa Hall, Complex Hall and Mary Stuart Hall belong to the female undergraduate students.
‘’The Female caucus acknowledges and commends the University for the great strides taken towards promoting the safety of female Students in Makerere. We further note that in commemoration of the 100 years of the University, it is important for us to continue reflecting upon the historical challenges that have hindered the gender balanced enjoyment of university Products and services by students and as such take appositive step towards addressing them as we prepare for the next great years of Makerere. Therefore, increment in the number of on campus halls of residence for female students is a positive space towards realizing a secure Makerere for both male and female students,’’ the caucus recommended.
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