Police has defended the decision taken by President Yoweri Museveni to close Makerere University.
“I Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda has this 1st day of November 2016, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution and Section 26(2) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended, decided to close Makerere University with immediate effect,” reads a statement issued Tuesday by President Museveni, directing the closure of Makerere University.
However, despite Mr Museveni’s decision attracting a backlash from the public, the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura and his spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi have said the government was right to close Uganda’s oldest university.
Speaking to media Wednesday, Gen Kayihura decision was the ‘best’, aimed at giving all parties; the government, administration and staff an opportunity to find a solution to the situation.
His junior, Police spokesperson Kaweesi, also defended the decision, saying that students were vulnerable to manipulations if left at the varsity. And, chidingly speaking about stranded students, Kaweesi said the police have space at police stations where they give ‘shelter’ to stranded people. He also advised international students to go to their respective embassies until when the university re-opens. However, no specific period has been given as to when it will re-open.
Meanwhile, the University’s guild president, Roy Semboga says today the Guild is to petition the Education minister, Janet Museveni, who is also the First Lady, over the closure.
According to Mr Semboga, many students, including those from foreign countries, are stranded as the decision to send them back home came at short notice.
