On June 30, Makerere University accumulated a debt of Shs66 billion. This has led to financial restrictions in the need to pay the pending debts.
By this, Makerere University will stop feeding private students. The Vice chancellor, Prof John Ssentamu-Ddumba told Campusbee that the food prices have increased, “The shs2,000 that was spent on feeding everyday for a private student is going to be saved to get the Shs15,000 needed every day to over come the arrears” the Vice Chancellor said.
According to the University management, feeding was expected to rise from Shs240,000 to Shs480,000 per semester. This was so much that students fail to agree with it. To keep the feeding fee the same, Prof Ddumba is proposing to stop feeding of private students residing in Halls.
According to Mr Onesmus Muwanga, the President Makerere University private students Association, University’s decision to halt feeding private students has not only led to theft in the university but also got many University girls going in for prostitution as a means of survival.
Mark Komakech a second year student in University hall said that with the University food, it helps us as students save some money given to us as our upkeep to meet other needs. “With the new policy, there will be need for us to devise means of surviving at the University” says Komakech. This will distract us because one may need to find a side job to help him/her raise some upkeep making it hard to balance with lectures. “Eating out is something one cannot maintain at the University for all the four months of the semester”says Agnes, a first year in Africa Hall. When you go to Wandegeya, you will fail to find a restaurant as cheap as shs2, 000, food is expensive.
