STUDENTS STRIKE!

An intricate series of gunshots and teargas, meant to disperse students of Kampala International University main campus Kansanga, were heard on Friday evening after students demand to be addressed by the University’s Managing Director over accumulative fines went unheard.

This stemmed from feelings of outrage and disgust towards the system which charges a $30 fine after 30 days of opening school  failure to clear 100% of school fees and after two weeks of the deadline, the fine doubles upto $150 amounting to almost 25% of the initial university  fee.  “In logical terms, If a student fails to clear 100% of his or her school fees, there is no certainty that he will manage an additional $150,” said the Guild President, Mr. Ignatius Muhatia.

On the other side of the coin, the university’s management claim that they are not proud of receiving fines but implement them as other measures that would encourage students to clear their school fees in time went futile for instance, closing gates and preventing fee defaulters from sitting for examinations but the students are crying for a standardized rate of $30 other than accumulative or no fines at all.

The university council together with the Guild President and Speaker which had a sitting on that fateful day following a successful 2 day boycott of classes two weeks ago was eagerly awaited for and by the end of the evening, mammoth crowds had gathered outside the offices where the meeting was taking place, holding placards while chanting slogans and singing victory songs as they waited for the final outcome. “ We took it upon us as leaders and together with the Guild president decided to calm down students by addressing them but they instead wanted to hear from the University’s Director Mr. Bassajabalaba which was not the case,” said Guild Speaker, Mr. Thon Micheal.

At around 7:00pm, Anti riot policemen who had made several appearances at the university dispersed the crowd which spread to Ggaba Road causing mad traffic as they stoned every passing vehicle or motorcycle, barricading the road and storming nearby vendors’ shops. This prompted the policemen to severely beat up anyone found along the road or who was suspected of triggering violence. The main hostel was a spectacle to behold as policemen raided each and every room forcing girls out of their rooms on gunpoint while others were beaten up. “ I was in my room when I heard a loud knock on my door and the man asked me to open the door and go out as he beat me up with a rungu, how can a safe haven become a den of snakes?” said Gloria Among, a student and resident at Dr. Garang’s main hostel.  Her story was similar to many who resided there.

Among other key issues, academic policies including missing results, annual hike of graduation fee and other issues are being aired out. The university council will make it’s final decision regarding this pressing issue tomorrow but as it stands, Kampala International University’s main campus premises are out of bounds until further notice.