About five students have been left injured after Friday’s protests by students of Makerere University against the proposed increase in university tuition fees.
Makerere University today woke up to rioting students at the main campus, which prompted the administration to call in the police who fired tear gas to disperse the rowdy students.
One David Wepuklu a 2nd year student was rushed to Mulago hospital after he was hit by a tear gas canister on his head while in his room at Mitchel Hall. Wepukulu is said to have been rushed to Mulago with his head severely damaged by the tear gas canister.
A kiosk burnt by students in front of Makerere University Library
The public Relations Officer of the Uganda Red Cross, Catherine Ntabadde says four other students are being treated with injuries they sustained in the stampede at Makerere.
Michael Mugabi,the DPC of Wandegeya Police station says they were forced to deploy anti riot police with tear gas after students turned rowdy by burning some properties at the university and blocking roads neaby the university.
He says the police has managed to calm the situation and all roads, including Makerere Hill Road, bwaise Wandegeya Road (Bombo Road) and Sir Apollo Kaggwa road are now open for normal traffic.
The students’ demonstration follows a demand by Makerere University Secretary Muhwezi Kahunda to the government to quickly implement the Auditor General’s proposal to increase tuition fees to six million shillings per student per year, from the current three million. The AG which did a study of how much it costs to educate a student in a public university recommended the fees be increased.
But the University’s Public Relations Officer Rita Namisango said that the Universoty Council is yet to discuss the proposal and students should not be alarmed as there is no increase in university fees.
Ultimate Media