Makerere University has lifted the suspension of three students involved in a recent campus protest.
In a letter dated November 11, 2024, Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe responded to a request from Guild President H.E. Nsamba Vincent Lubega, who appealed for leniency on behalf of the students.
The protest, held on November 8, 2024, was organized by students protesting delayed payment of food allowances for government-sponsored students.Following the incident, the university had suspended the three students pending further review.
In his letter, Prof. Nawangwe announced the immediate rescinding of the suspensions but issued a stern warning to the students to refrain from any further disruptive activities on campus. “Please advise the affected students to desist from any further acts of hooliganism at the university,” he stated.
The decision to reinstate the students has been communicated to relevant university departments, including the Deputy Vice Chancellors, the University Secretary, the Academic Registrar, and the Dean of Students.
In recent weeks, Makerere University has faced a series of protests by government-sponsored students over delayed living-out allowances, crucial financial support many rely on for basic needs like food and housing.
The protests escalated on October 31, 2024, when students, organized by Lillian Akello, president of the Makerere Government-Sponsored Students Association, marched to the Ministry of Finance to demand immediate payment of these allowances. They cited severe hardships, including hunger and potential evictions, resulting from the delays
University officials, including the Dean of Students, Dr. Winfred Kabumbuli, acknowledged the funding challenges, explaining that a government-imposed budget cut affected multiple operational areas, though they maintained that student welfare was prioritized. Kabumbuli clarified that some allowances, such as food and internship support, had already been partially disbursed, though complete payment was pending. Additionally, Kabumbuli noted that while cooking is restricted in residence halls for safety reasons, the university reorganized food vendors rather than banning them to ensure affordability on campus
Pastor Martin Ssempa, a student advocate, highlighted the crisis by providing food donations to students and urging the Ministry of Finance to reconsider budget allocations for essential student needs.
Meanwhile, Makerere’s Guild President, Lubega Nsamba, announced plans to investigate the depth of the financial strain on students and hinted at a public donation campaign to address ongoing challenges. The administration has cautioned against disruptive protests, emphasizing dialogue and peaceful advocacy
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