Following security directives from the Uganda police force that limit the entry of bags into public places, several higher institutions of learning issued restrictions of prohibiting bags within university premises. Among these institutions was Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
However, the ban found students in examinations period which requires them to move with books, calculators, laptops for discussions and examination preparations.
On the first day when the restriction was put into practice, many students were forced to leave their bags outside university gates. The bags were severely hit by rain that destroyed some of the students’ property.
Some of the student leaders were concerned about the acts of security officials of bouncing back students due to possession of bags
“Is it only through bags that these bombs can be brought into the university? When we say, it’s a security threat, then we should think about the best solution to this situation. Letting people just enter the university without being checked is just a loophole that will put the entire university at stake,” Kiyemba Musa GRC university residents showed concern.
Some female students that too spoke to Campus Bee, said that the restriction should be lifted so that small bags can be allowed inside through checking.
“As girls, we need to stay clean. In order to achieve this, there are sanitary tools we move with and are always kept within our bags but now how shall we move with them in hands? This is not fair to us,” one of the female students said.
The university security officers we spoke to said that they’re following the directives set by the Uganda police and the University.
