Makerere University Students’ Guild President, Julius Kateregga is reported to have been kidnapped by unknown people, according to his deputy Judith Nalukwago. The kidnap/arrest came after he appeared on NBSTv Morning Breeze programme on Wednesday.
Katerega has been for a week leading students to demonstrate against 15 percent tuition increment.
While appearing on NBStv, Katerega among others wondered why 15 percent tuition increment was approved when the economic growth is growing at a lower rate. “We all know the country’s growth rate is measured at 5 percent. Why then would you give us a 15 percent increment?” He asked.
Meanwhile students have burnt property belonging to former Guild President Salim Papa Were, accusing him of being among those that spearheaded the passing of the 15% tuition increment approved by the council in July 2018.
Yesterday First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni who doubles as Minister of Education and Sports while responding to the students’ strike said that the tuition increment in 2018 was also approved by the students’ leaders in 2018.
“It is important to understand that Makerere University Management took the trouble to ensure that students were fully involved and consulted in the process of establishing an acceptable tuition fee structure for the Institution, through a series of consultations with the student leadership, and the outcomes were agreed upon by both parties, as well as bench-marking with other similar universities. How then do students turn around, afterwards, and accuse the University management of imposing “high costs” on the students?” She asked yesterday.
Despite President Yoweri Museveni ordering the military out of the university, cases of violence are being reported, with the police firing teargas at students who have refused to go for lectures.
Meanwhile the University Council has halted the proposed fees increment but also revoked suspension and warning letters given to students in relation to the current demonstration.
