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Kyambogo students take management hostage
Some of Kyambogo University students who demonstrated. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
Kyambogo University students have staged a strike demanding the immediate resignation of all officials cited in the mismanagement of the institution.
The students, largely from the Faculty of Special Needs Education, on Friday stormed the Senate Building, and took hostage all the top managers for several hours.
The students demanded the immediate disbursement of faculty allowances; which they say have not been paid for a long time. They also demanded their internship allowances, the release of last semester examination marks, and the resignation of the seven officials who were arrested early this month by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) over the mismanagement of the university.
“We want them out of the office or else there won’t be peace in this university,” one of the students said.
The students, mainly government-sponsored, accuse the same officials of ‘embezzling’ their faculty allowances which the government allocates them every semester to cater for meals, hostel fares and upkeep.
“We are supposed to go for the compulsory industrial training but not a single coin has been paid and the semester is ending. What do you do to such people?” another student asked.
Since their arrest and prosecution for defiance of orders, conflict of interest and abuse office by the IGG, early this month, the acting University vice chancellor, Prof Opuda Asibo, bursar Ham Mungyereza, the Chairman University Council, Prof John Okedi, the Deputy Academic Registrar, Ms Christine Kyayonka, the University Secretary, Mr Sam Akorimo and two academic staff; Mr Daniel Ndawula and Mr Wilfred Nahamya, have refused to leave office.
Amidst the ongoing administrative chaos, the students early this week also petitioned the IGG to investigate officials implicated in the mess at the university. The Guild President, Mr John Mugabi, said they had advised students to remain calm as solutions to their grievances are being sought.
“Management has promised to pay the allowances, ensure the marks are released but I don’t know about the resignations,” Mr Mugabi said.
University publicist Lawrence Madete confirmed the incident but declined to comment any further, saying the case of the seven officials was under the Ant-Corruption Court, where they were ordered to report next Tuesday.
