Giving an example, Sempa said that last year, a student Caleb Tumanyawe died from ulcers shortly before graduation; the money lending business has arisen placing the students in danger, while a young woman is said to have posted on X, that female students are in sex work to survive.
Following a complaint of failure by Makerere University administration to pay housing and food allowances, Pr. Martin Sempa has made an X (formerly twitter) attack to university management, accusing them of the resultant starvation and hunger, and a situation where landlords have evicted the students in private business hostels for non-payment.
The Dean of students responded to Pr. Sempa’s intervention by mainly denying contents of both the pastor’s statement, and the earlier claims by students consisting mainly of those in the government-sponsored category.
The students’ complaints besides non-payment of allowances, included among others, reduction of their welfare budget without prior communication to that effect, barring them from preparing meals in halls of residence, eviction of low cost food vendors, threats to be suspended if they consider actions likely to embarrass the university administration, among others.
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Pr. Sempa’s statement says that besides starvation for three months, those in commercial hostels have been kicked out for non-payment, and that as a response from the university, the students were informed that the Ministry of Finance had reduced the students’ welfare budget by sh25bn.
They were further informed that the solution was for the university to write to the Permanent Secretary asking for a supplementary budget. It is also stated that improvisation by cooking meals in halls of residence was banned, while low cost food vendors were evicted and banned.
“Those attempting to seek intervention of the minister through an organized match were met with threats of dismissal, all in a situation where research shows that 95% of students go hungry”, the statement said, adding that minimum food prices stand at sh10,000 (three dollars) against the university’s offer of sh4,500 (one dollar ten cents).
Giving an example, Sempa said that last year, a student Caleb Tumanyawe died from ulcers shortly before graduation; the money lending business has arisen placing the students in danger, while a young woman is said to have posted on X, that female students are in sex work to survive.
Pr. Sempa suggested setting up of a starving students food bank with well-wishers contributing money and food, with the endeavour being student-led and free from the conflicted university administration.
He also suggested that the 95% of starving students be given a face by being given an audience and allowing their voice to be heard by the world. He noted that the World Bank’s privatization policy has not helped in this aspect but rather killed dreams.
He also suggested that a task force of current and former students come together to form a committee to investigate and recommend the best policy for a permanent solution.
In an October 28th letter to all students, the Dean of Students, Winifred Kabumbuli refuted claims that the students have not received allowances for three months, and clarified that certain allowances have been paid out.
Kabumbuli listed the paid allowances as being internship allowances, recess term allowances, students with disabilities helpers’ allowances, first year living out allowances, living out allowances for continuing students and partial food allowances for continuing students.
The letter signed by Winifred Kabumbuli denied allegations that when the government slashed the students’ welfare budget no communication to that effect was made to the students, clarifying that they were informed that the budget had been reduced and all operations affected.
On the university’s adamancy to the students’ grievances, the Dean said they encourage dialogue with student leaders on matters of academics and welfare, adding however that the university discourages expression of grievances through destructive and disruptive behaviour.
Not done, Pr. Sempa hit back saying that it seems the Dean’s reaction is an effort for damage control. “You totally seem to be unaware of the main crisis of students; you have no plan for it at all, what you say is different from what the bursar said”, Sempa said.
In a related development, former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Rtd Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye said, “One gets the sense that our alma mater, to which many are emotionally attached, is increasingly a sort of dignified student prison!
The freedom we enjoyed, even during the “dark days”; the social ambiance & activities; the political vibrancy; and the academic environment (let alone the government sponsorship of all costs) are all history! It’s time”.