Makerere University has a significant military and police presence due to the upcoming student strike.
Following Margaret Nattabi and Suleiman Namwoza, the NUP flag bearer, and their disqualification from the guild race, heavily armed military and police troops were stationed at the university this morning.
Tshilumba claimed in a letter dated April 6 that the two were ineligible because they held a “Kimeza” in violation of article 10(b) of the new students’ guild legislation, 2022. “Student election at the University shall be virtual unless otherwise determined by the University Council,” the statute states.
Police and the army were stationed at each entry and exit to the institution on Tuesday.
Everyone who entered the university had to go through a comprehensive inspection and show a staff or student identity card.
A number of journalists were turned away.
Armed police and troops were on patrol inside the institution. Additionally, Freedom Square has been blocked off.
Nattabi accused the university on Monday of obstructing their freedom of association.
She claimed that the institution was illegitimately restricting students’ ability to join the political parties of their choice and that actual election campaigns were being held on university premises.
They were allegedly singled out and rejected simply because of their political affiliations, and she continued that their expulsion from the competition was unwarranted.
Nantabi told the institution to change its mind within 48 hours or hold a protest.
The university, however, looked to be conducting business as normal by 11:30 a.m. as students appeared to be going about their regular routines without interruptions.
