Police in Mbarara has been forced to use teargas to disperse protesting medical and surgery students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
The students had taken to the streets to demonstrate against a controversial new recess policy.
The protests erupted over the university’s recent introduction of a policy requiring first-year students to complete a single course unit during a ten-week recess period, at a cost of UGX 800,000 – equivalent to half their regular semester tuition fees.
Students argue that the new policy, which deviates from the traditional system of completing all course units within two semesters, places an unnecessary financial burden on them.
They claim the administration implemented these changes without proper consultation with the student body.
“This policy effectively means we’re now paying more for the same education,” said one protesting student who requested anonymity. “Many of us come from families that already struggle to pay the regular tuition.”
The demonstration, which began peacefully on campus, was dispersed when police deployed tear gas after students gathered in larger numbers.
MUST administration had not issued an official statement regarding the protests at the time of publication.
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