On Monday afternoon, the students of Muteesa 1 Royal University, Kakeeka-Mengo staged a strike against what they called “Unnecessary fees” by the University that have left some of their colleagues with no option but drop out or request for dead years. They held placards, singing songs of solidarity and dissatisfaction swaying tree branches and scaring to destroy university property if their cries are not heard and worked upon immediately.
When asked to settle this matter diplomatically with the University by police, the students accused the vice chancellor, Professor Sserwanga Arthur for being biased and rampantly firing staff which affects their lectures hence lagging behind other Universities. So they demanded to address their issues to the Katikiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga. Among the alleged unnecessary fees are, medical fees, development fees, function and identification fees. Also, the students were protesting against delayed release of last semester’s results and tuition policy of 40% before one sits for tests.
However, when the student crowds got too rowdy, police under Kampala division operations officer Joseph Lwantoro, swung into action firing into the crowds tear gas and rubber bullets forcing every student out of the University premises until further notice, no students, staff or police officers were injured in the strike.
