Shocking details have emerged about how many frustrated students from Makerere University have opted to join other universities as reopening of their university remains hanging in balance.
After trying several options including petitioning the Education minister, taking the president to court, demonstrations all geared towards reopening the university and subsequently failing, some students have decided to join other institutions with the most current one joining Kabale University.
Take for instance Enock Mugisha, a student of at Makerere University in his first year, confirmed to this news website that he was tired of rampant strikes, poor service delivery and poor education systems within the university.
“How do you enroll for a three year course an d you spend five years doing the same course? Why isn’t government responding to lecturers’ demands and paying them their salaries to avoid these rampant strikes?,” Mugisha told TheUgandan.
Asked if he was alone making this decision, Mugisha said, “We are many. Its only that I came out to publicly declare my admission to join Kabale University. Its just a matter of time and many more will come out to declare their positions too. In addition, I can’t tolerate these poor living conditions within the university.”
It is now three weeks since President, Yoweri Museveni ordered the indefinite closure of Makerere University following failed negotiations between the university council, administration and lecturers over their unpaid salary incentives for eight months.
The lecturers are demanding up to Shillings 28billion. As a result of the presidential directive to close the university, police ordered all students to vacate their halls of residence and neighboring hostels until further notice.
All offices were closed and staffs were asked to park all university cars and hand in their keys.
According to State Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysestom Muyingoa, government expects another report from the auditor general’s office about the university.
The VC said if the university opens in time, management will communicate the date for the graduation.
By Adams Sadiki
