Kyambogo University has set October 17^th as the reopening date for final year students to complete their studies. This also applies to the final year students in their learning centers of Bushenyi and Soroti.

The teaching will resume on 19^th October and it will last for only four weeks ending on 13th November and then the final exams from 16^th to 29th November for a period of two weeks.

The finalists who are expected to come to complete their semester two are 11,943 students based on enrolled figures for semester 1, 2019/2020 academic year.

These are; PhD 3^rd year students, all masters programs – 2^nd years, first year post graduate diploma programs, all Bachelor’s degree programs finalists, 2^nd year bachelor of teacher Education, 2^nd year bachelor of Education, all 2^nd year diploma programs, all 2^nd years certificate program and all 1^st year certificate programs.

In his address to the nation on Sunday September 20^th, the president of Uganda, communicated the government’s decision to reopen education Institutions for final year students to complete their studies.

Professor Eli Katunguka the Vice Chancellor Kyambogo university while addressing the media at Kyambogo University says that about 75 percent of teaching which includes lecturing, giving assignments and coursework had been completed before the temporary closure.

Katunguka adds that the remaining 25 percent will be completed in a period of four weeks.

According to Professor Katunguka, the university has always had three sessions of examinations from 8am-7pm. However, with the current circumstances, they will have only two sessions, one in the morning and another in the afternoon to cater for curfew.

He emphasized that they will make sure that they strictly follow the guidelines issued by the National council for higher education, SOPs by the health ministry by ensuring that staff and students wear masks, wash hands regularly, sanitizing and maintain social distancing.

“The classes with many students will be split into small manageable groups to ensure the social distancing,” professor adds.

Commenting on the tuition payments, the professor says some students had already fully paid their school fees before the closure.

However, to all final students who have not paid, to do so as soon as the university reopens because no students will be allowed into the examination room unless they have fully paid.

Kantunguka notes that government sponsored students had already received their food and living allowance for the second semester. They should therefore not expect other allowances from the university.

“I therefore call upon all government sponsored students to request their parents to provide them with enough pocket money to cater for the remaining period of second semester,” Katunguka urges.

Regarding the issue of accommodation, the professor says, they have enough space to accommodate all resident final year students under the new arrangement which takes into account the social distance rule.

This will be in order to secure the lives of their students; there are strict SOPs which will be followed at the halls of residences.

Professor Katunguka explains that there will be fumigations of all halls of residences, halls to be utilized at half capacity, disinfecting of all student’s property before accessing the halls, hand washing facilities among other SOPs.

Professors also stated that the university medical center has put in place clear protocols for referral of suspected COVID-19 cases assisted with 24 hour ambulance services.

“We have acquired emergency alert phone numbers from the health ministry designated COVID-19 treatment centers,” he adds.

He says the infection control and prevention committee led by a senior nursing officer has been constituted to ensure implementation of infection control at the medical center and at the university as whole.

A screening area for isolation of suspected COVID-19 cases has been put in place. The screening area is managed by health workers.

Stories Continues after ad