Makerere University alumni have expressed solidarity with student activists who were arrested and suspended by the Vice Chancellor for their continued protests against University policies. They argued that the VC’s decision to suppress what they call freedom of expression is unnecessary in an academic setting. Some alumni were speaking at a solidarity rally organized at Makerere University this week to identify with the suspended students.

The former students of Makerere University disagree with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe’s decision to warn, arrest and suspend over 25 students this semester alone for striking against University policies.

“The Vice Chancellor should be tolerant to dissent and act with restraint when dealing with the kind of youthful energy that students at the University naturally possess,” said Andrew Karamagi, a former law student at Makerere University.

Karamagi argues that every student deserves a fair share of learning experience through activism and freedom of expression. He adds that “society can only progress on the wheels of contestation and debate not repression and silence.”

Doreen Nyanjura, a former student and current City councilor for Makerere University condemned repression of students’ freedom of expression and intolerance of the University authorities. She says that “students have a right to stand up against injustice and speak up to oppose what they deem wrong in demand for answers on matters that affect them.” Nyanjura is an FDC activist, as well as KCCA representative to the University Council.

“How will students grow intellectually when they cannot debate with university officials and express themselves freely when they feel oppressed?” Nyanjura questioned. The councilor condemns arrest and suspension of students for holding dissenting views and hopes for reason to prevail such that the suspended students can be allowed back in class.

Derrick Obed who was among the eight students arrested at Makerere and charged with trespass and holding unlawful assembly after lifting a placard with ‘fees must fall’ during the launch of the World University Netball Championship on 17^th September says he spent six days in prison beyond the constitutional 24 hours limit.

Obed is one of more than 15 students suspended by the Vice Chancellor this semester ‘until further notice’ for ‘hooliganism and indiscipline’ and ‘spreading inflammatory massages on social media that are against University policies and other national laws.’

After being released from prison this week on a cash bail of UG shillings 200,000 from Buganda Road Court, Obed said “I continue to pursue my return to the University from suspension to catch up with the lecture sessions I have missed.”

However, Rugumayo Roy, the President School of Psychology upon release the same day still maintains that “when the Vice Chancellor insists on suppression as a method of administration, the oppressed students ultimately have no choice but to use violence as a means of communication.”

Some of the students who have been suspended by the Vice Chancellor this semester following their dissatisfaction with a decision by Makerere University Council to raise tuition cumulatively for five years by 15% include: Derrick Obed, Johnson Obbo, Kassim Njalira, Job Dhabona, Bwambale Frank, Daniel Kituno, David Musiri and others.

Many more have been served with warning letters to desist from engaging in activities that the University says undermine the stability and reputation of Makerere University.