When the president ordered for the immediate closure of academic institutions by 20th March, many students in universities had not yet cleared their tuition fees and other expenses and this has brought up a big conversation on how these fees will be cleared when institutions open again.
The Ugandan university vice chancellors through their forum have asked the government to intervene and extend the loan scheme to every student.
This, according to them, will enable continuing students to take on their studies without worrying about the fees.
Professor Paul Mugabi, the Executive Director of the Vice Chancellors Forum while appearing before the National Economy Committee of Parliament on Wednesday noted that if this is not done, some universities may close and others may not be able to pay lecturers due to lack of finances.
The forum also proposes that the government provides support in terms of external grant and research funding mostly the private universities which are less catered for.
On addition to this, Prof Mugabi said tasked the government to help universities procure temperature monitors, face masks and sanitizers for both staff and students. Kenya and Tanzania recently liberalized the student loan scheme to cater for every student that needs it.
