Students at Kyambogo University have vowed to persist with their demonstrations against a recent 50 percent increase in tuition fees, despite warnings from the university about severe consequences for their actions.
On September 9, more than ten students were arrested when police and security forces dispersed the protestors who had staged a strike inside the campus. The protests erupted in response to the sudden and steep hike in tuition fees.
According to reports, 13 students were detained at Kyambogo Police Post and Jinja Road Police Station. The Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, stated that he would need to consult further before providing details on the arrests but had not responded by press time.
The protesting students have made it clear that they will not cease their actions until the university revises the fee structure. “We want Prof. Katunguka to understand that we chose to be at Kyambogo, and we demand that the fee increase be reversed,” one student declared.
Another student voiced frustration over the lack of consultation with student leaders before the fee hike was implemented. “We woke up to find out about the 50 percent increase, which we believe is illegal. Instead of addressing our concerns, the university has deployed police who have used force and pepper spray against us and the journalists covering our peaceful demonstration. We want to assure them that we won’t back down,” they added.
University Principal Public Relations Officer, Reuben Twinomujuni, suggested that the strike is driven by students with political motives. He clarified that the fee increase only affects students in two specific schools: the School of Management and Entrepreneurship and the School of Built Environment. “The rest of the programs have not seen any change in fees. The increase applies only to first-year students in these schools, and those from previous years are unaffected,” Twinomujuni explained.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka supported this view, telling NBS TV on Monday that some of the striking students may face disciplinary action. “The students leading this protest seem to be seeking political gain. They want to show their peers that they are fighting for their rights, even if the issue at hand—while concerning—is not a major one,” he said.
Katunguka also criticized the disruption caused by the protests, noting that some students had disrupted classes and attacked both fellow students and lecturers. “We will take strict measures against those involved in such behavior,” he added.
The tuition increase was approved in April 2024 and communicated to students. However, a letter dated July 23, 2024, from the Guild President Reagan Mwebesa revealed that his office had not been informed about the hike. Mwebesa’s letter urged students to boycott lectures until the management provides a clear explanation and addressed concerns about unfairly closed student portals.
The letter reads, “No student should attend any lecture or university program until the university management reverses these unfair decisions. Those who defy this directive will be treated as enemies of the student body and dealt with accordingly.”
The situation at Kyambogo University remains tense as students continue to press for a resolution to the fee dispute.
