BY BERNARD MUBIRU
The Kampala International University (KIU) community at the western campus appreciates the struggle their colleagues at the great hill (Makerere) are engaged in lately. Makerere University passed a new tuition policy last year which stipulates a 15% increment on tuition for the next 5 years. This cumulative increment clearly sees tuition fees increasing at 75% in the next 5 years.
Veteran Journalist Andrew Mwenda on his twitter account took time to quote how KIU, UCU, or Nkozi pay much more than Makerere. Mwenda said the kind of entitlement that Makerere University students have cannot be found among privately sponsored universities.
Students at KIU Western have come out to rubbish his views saying that because they’re not striking in their private university does not mean Makerere students should let tuition suffocate them. The students, who were led by a one Albert Kambeho, said they fully support Makerere in this battle against tuition.
“Just because KIU pays much more tuition than Makerere does not mean Makerere students have no right to protest tuition increment because we are not striking. That’s is so wrong. You cannot use other institutions to justify the actions of Makerere. This is not how things operate. I would expect Andrew Mwenda to know this already. Just because there is a street kid in the Kampala with no food does not mean my mum should not give me food” Kambeho said.
According to them anybody who thinks like Mwenda, “living in a world of idealization, of myth and never in actuality” should get a better reason to justify their actions. “Not KIU not UCU and definitely not Nkozi.” Kambeho added.
“When we were joining KIU a fees contract was given to us and we read through it. With a clear mind filled with content and pride we signed that contract. Both the institution and the students have offered their respective contribution and both parties are very much contented.” John Owori, another student said.
