Are suspensions in Makerere necessary?

MAKERERE - Makerere University Councilor condemns intimidation of university students by the university administration. Doreen Nyanjura expressed her discontent with the Vice Chancellor’s decision to block avenues for dialogue with students, resorting to intimidation.

Nyanjura, the Makerere University Councilor and FDC activist expressed her sentiments against what she called suppression of students' freedom of expression by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe through warning letters, suspensions and expulsions from Makerere University. The councilor reasons that this is what is escalating strikes at Makerere.

“It really hurts me that innocent students are suspended for freely expressing their thought and dissatisfaction with university policies,” she added. Nyanjura says that suspensions should only be served on genuine instances after a fair hearing by the disciplinary committee rather than basing on allegations.

Nyanjura says this is inhuman, unfair and unlawful move to curtail students’ fundamental liberties and deny them of a future that the university claims to build.

Rugamayo Roy, the incumbent president of School of Psychology who was served with a warning letter last month said “the University administration is in panic after the recent tuition raise, what they do is intimidate students, suspend those who would have led the struggle and warn others.”

Following cumulative increase in tuition by 15% every year for five years effective this academic year 2018/2019, by the University Council, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nawangwe has suspended at least ten students who are opposed to the increment.

The students are accused of promoting hooliganism and indiscipline, and others for ‘spreading inflammatory massages on social media,’ something that officials say undermines the university reputation.

Some of the students who have been suspended are: Frank Bwambale, chief editor of the Makererean newspaper and founder of an online tabloid, the Liar Media Group; Job Dhabona, Kassim Njalira, Benjamin Arinda, Daniel Kituno, Samuel Kigula, James Chombo, Derrick Obed and others. The Vice Chancellor argues that the students were suspended “for holding illegal activities against university policies and other national laws.”

Attempts to reach the University administration about students discipline and suspensions were futile by press time.