The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Marksons Oboth, has thrown his weight behind efforts to address the shortage of accommodation for female students at Makerere University.
Oboth made the commitment during a courtesy visit to Parliament by the Makerere University Guild leadership, led by Guild Speaker Mutatiina Travis Muhwezi and Deputy Guild Speaker Evas Akello.
The student leaders used the meeting to present a number of concerns affecting the university community, with the shortage of halls of residence for female students emerging as one of the key issues.
The accommodation challenge has continued to affect students at Makerere, where demand for university-managed residential spaces remains high, forcing many students to seek accommodation outside the university campus.
Responding to the concerns, Speaker Oboth commended the Guild leadership for bringing the matter directly to Parliament and assured them of the House’s support.
Oboth said Parliament would expeditiously consider and approve any funding request aimed at constructing or expanding female student hostels, signalling potential government support for efforts to increase accommodation capacity at the university.
The commitment comes as student leaders continue to push for improved welfare and living conditions, arguing that adequate accommodation is an important component of the university experience.
The Makerere Guild leadership also raised other policy and welfare concerns affecting students during their engagement with the Speaker.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the student leaders to directly engage Parliament on issues affecting one of Uganda’s largest and oldest institutions of higher learning.
The proposed expansion of female accommodation could help ease pressure on existing halls and provide more students with access to university-based housing if the necessary funding is secured and projects are implemented.
