The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Betty Aol Ocan was minutes ago at Wandegeya Police Station to check on over 40 Makerere University students have been detained at the security facility since yesterday following a demonstration over the 15 percent tuition increment.
“I’m at Wandegeya Police Station establishing the status quo in regard to the Students Demonstration at Makerere University,” she said.
“It’s sad that over 40 students have been held in detention since last evening over peaceful demonstrations against the cumulative 15% tuition increment.”
Aol said the Students’ Guild President, Julius Kateregga expressed to her concerns over the brutality with which the demonstration is being handled by the security forces.
“The military has gone ahead to raid students’ accommodation facilities late into the night,” she said.
The Lop has blasted the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for exhibiting dictatorial tendencies while running the institution that is considered an epitome of freedom aspirations in Uganda’s education.
“The iron hand with which the Management of Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is handling the matter is worrying for an academic institution of the magnitude of Makerere University,” she said.
Commenting on the reports that one of the female students who headed the demonstrations was beaten by unknown people, Aol said: The Guild President has also briefed me on the brutality against the young female student leader, Siperia Mollie Saasirabo.”
Mollie is among several other students who were suspended by the Vice-Chancellor for leading a peaceful demonstration against the cumulative 15% tuition increment.
She is said to have been attacked and severely beaten by unknown people last night while she was returning to her place from a Television interview on her suspension.
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