Students of Makerere University have expressed anger and discomfort over the Vice Chancellor John Ddumba Sentamu’s directive to demolish all kiosks including restaurants housed in makeshift structures within the university campus.
TheUgandan understands that many students from halls of residences inside the university have vowed to take action against Ddumba’s order arguing that the restaurants were providing better meals compared to those provided by the university.
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In a plea against the demolition of these makeshift eateries, they complained that kiosks within the university were providing better, cheap and faster services which they would otherwise not afford if they were replaced by bigger establishments.
The vice chancellor’s directive is contained in a December 8, 2016 letter to the University Estates and Works Director Fred Nuwagaba ordering him to demolish all illegal structures at the Ivory tower.
“As you may be aware, a number of requests have been made to you to remove the illegal structures on campus. This is now to instruct you to remove all illegal structures on campus within three days effective December 9th 2016,” the letter reads in part.
Most of the demolished structures belong to family members of Makerere university staff and has been one of their main sources of income to complement the small salaries they earn from the university.
According to Ritah Namisango the University Public Relations Officer, prior warning had been issued out to the owners of the structures though no formal communication had been made to students notifying them about the same.
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