Makerere university student leaders headed by the 87th guild president Shamim Nambassa, met with the university management on 10th February to draft a solution to the tense conflict between the two.
The two sides were at loggerheads following futile attempts by the former to convince Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the university’s care taker into changing his decision to have students study through a blended system.
This misunderstanding led to protests by students earlier this week, and some of the ringleaders earned themselves a suspension from the university.
In the meeting held at one of the institution’s central teaching facilities, both parties agreed to work towards full reopening of the university for all students and also give a fair hearing to all suspended students.
Whereas the guild leadership pledged to support the institution towards enhancing its online teaching facilities, it tabled a number of challenges associated with online learning such as high costs of data. However, management resolved to draft a proposal and roadmap by 5th March with an intent of fully reopening the university.
“Management prepares a proposal and roadmap for the on campus physical reopening of the university for all students by 5th March 2022…” part of resolution one reads.
The university management further promised to give all dhe support to Richard Ssebuganda, a bio medical student who had his hand amputated after a teargas canister exploded in his hand as he attempted to throw it out of his room in Lumumba hall.
Makerere university students have been urged to keep calm as they await a final resolution by the university council and senate regarding the blended system of learning.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe who said is open to negotiation with the student guild had earlier advised that full reopening of the university was next to impossible as the institution had already drafted a budget and schedule for semester one and that if there was to be a change, it would only be possible in the second semester of the academic year 2021/2022 under an assumption that all Makerere students would be vaccinated by then.
