A section of Members of Parliament on the Education committee were yesterday shocked by the poor state of students’ halls of residence at Uganda’s oldest university, Makerere. The legislators had visited Makerere as part of the probe over the impasse at Makerere that led to two weeks-long protests against the 15% cumulative tuition increment.
While meeting the students, university management and members of the University Council, the MPs openly revealed that the students’ halls of residence are completely dilapidated, whose sorry state needs immediate action.
According to John Ntamuhiira Twesigye, MP for Bunyaruguru and the Vice Chairperson of the probe committee, the state of the facilities for students requires immediate attention. Twesigye further revealed that the conditions in which they are in is clear evidence why students had no other option but to hold a strike.
The students who graced the meeting wondered why there is no improvement on their halls of residence, toilets, yet the university continues to increase tuition every year.
Speaking at the meeting was Marion Kirabo, the Guild Minister for Gender, Ethics and Integrity who told the probe team that the increment of fees every year has neither improved the students’ welfare nor their halls of residence.
Rubaga North Member of Parliament, Hon Moses Kasibante believes there could be something wrong with the university management relationship with the students’ community, which he says should be addressed before the situation worsens.
While responding to the issues, Lorna Magara, the University Council Chairperson said that the university has maintained an open door policy to engage its members on all issues including sexual harassment as well as students’ problems.