Uganda: Govt reverses Makerere University 60 percent fees policy

Kampala — Government has directed Makerere University to revoke the 60 per cent fees policy so as to end a week-long strike that paralysed the institution last week.

The controversial fees policy requires students to have cleared 60 per cent of tuition paid by the sixth week of the semester before they can be allowed to register, submit course- work and sit for tests.

In a letter dated April 10, to the Chairman of the University Council, the institution’s highest decision making organ, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said all attempts to enforce the policy have failed.

«Government has learnt with concern of the unrest at Makerere University over the payment policy of 60 per cent of fees within the first six weeks of the semester. Government has further learnt that the University Council has agreed to suspend the policy pending review,» Dr Rugunda wrote.

«To our understanding, this policy has been suspended on several occasions after unrest among the student community. This is an indication that the Policy is not workable. This, therefore, is to ask you to revoke the policy with immediate effect,» Dr Rugunda directed.

/.outer-ad-container.responsive-aans-view-a-container

The directive followed a meeting convened on Sunday by Prime Minister Rugunda at his office in Kampala. It was attended by Makerere University Council represented by the Chairperson of its Finance Committee, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, the Vice Chancellor Prof Ddumba Ssentamu and the Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura.

Both the University Council and the administration agreed to implement the directive with immediate effect, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

The Prime Minister asked the University Council to start consultations with various stakeholders to put in place mutually acceptable measures for tuition collection that should be in place by the start of next semester.

Dr Rugunda said government supports the University Council’s decision, based on the students’ request, that all the fees due to the university be paid by the end of the 12th week of the current semester to enable the smooth administration of examinations.