BY JOSEPHINE AHABWE
Following a sitting yesterday, the Parliament of Uganda has decided to halt the 15% tuition increment at Makerere University until the education committee of Parliament concludes the inquiry into the standoff at the Ivory Tower.
The education committee is also to investigate the student’s unrest and their petitions that were presented to the speaker on Wednesday. The house also ordered the auditor in general to carry out an immediate audit of at Makerere and the legislators ordered for the return of the suspended students to class.
The members gave suggestions on the way out of the Makerere crisis where they condemned the brutality of the army, asked for a separate body to handle the private funds and also have university students handle guild elections.
They further called for a probe into allegations of use of drugs by students and asked the students to demonstrate calmly without throwing stones at the police, who are human beings and can retaliate.
The Makerere University guild vice president, Judith – who is in acting role ever since Kateregga went missing, has assured the public that the strike is not yet over. She said it will only be over when their demands are met by management and the university council.
“I condemn with the most resolute stance those who have called off our peaceful demonstration at this stage when we’re headed towards the finish line. How will you explain to James (PWD who was beaten to pulp in Lumumba) that you gave up midway the fight? How will you explain to Siperia Molly that you cowered because a few coins were slipped into your wallet? What speech shall you, your children and children’s children ever give to those who’ve been suspended, warned, arrested, brutalized and molested? What exactly will you tell all of us who’ve given our lives to this fight?” The guild vice president said in a statement.
She ended with a note saying that the guild house sat and supported to maintain the peaceful demonstrations as they pursue;
- A copy of the resolutions made by Parliament on 30th October.
- Managements written commitment to adhere to the resolutions by Parliament.
