After the arrest of several Makerere University students today, 7th February 2022, the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) has released a statement condemning the arrest of the striking Makerere University Students.
These students led by their current Guild President Shamim Nambasa came out in red gowns to protest the blended reopening system that the Vice Chancellor has continued to enforce even after the economy was fully reopened.
The students argued that it was unfair for the University Students to continue paying the same functional fees similar to the ones they pay while attending physically.
They claimed that students are not using the facilities that the functional fees are supposed to account for; including medical facilities, sports facilities and more.
Students therefore asked the University to reopen fully since the whole economy was. The Vice Chancellor however recently affirmed that the University would continue with online studies until further notice, prompting students to ‘use the language which the University administration understands’—the striking language.
In a statement shated via twitter, Roy Rugumayo, the general secretary of the Uganda National Students’ Association demanded for the ‘immediate and unconditional release of the arrested students and the cancellation of warnings and suspensions that have thus far been issued in light of the ongoing strike.’
“The Uganda National Students’ Association is concerned about the arrest of several students and student leaders for their involvement in the peaceful demonstration at Makerere University.
The students are demanding for reopening of the University following the presidential directives on the full reopening of the economy. Just like we have trusted primary school pupils and secondary school students to practice some caution in the face of the receding COVID-19 situation, we call upon the University management to have confidence in its own students to do the necessary and keep safe upon full reopening.
Similarly, we demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested students and the cancellation of warnings & suspensions that have thus far been issued in light of the ongoing standoff.”
The bee is determined to continue informing you about the future developments from this strike.
