MAKERERE – The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) branch at Makerere University have initiated impeachment proceedings against Guild President Papa Salim Were, accusing him of failure to fight for rights of the common student in the university.
Mr Mugabe Edmund Kahiigi, who heads the FDC Makerere chapter said in a statement at the weekend, that Mr Were had among others, failed to represent the student interests as the university seeks to increase the current tuition fees rates by 15 p percent.
“We totally challenge the manner in which the committee executed its exercise more so whenit benchmarked on the University of Nairobi which is based in a stronger economy than our own,” Kahiigi said.
A 15-member student committee constituted by the Guild President to look into the endless strikes at Makerere suggested a 15 percent tuition increment annually.
Kahiigi said that the FDC chapter feels more concerned by the committee’s decision to hike tuition fees for five consecutive years by 15 per cent each.
“We find their impeachment justifiable as students cannot find such to be competent for leadership and we as voters shall collect signatures for the guild’s impeachment while the house deals with speakers,” he added.
The DFC leader now want the guild president impeached and Mr Isaac Kwagala, the Guild Speaker given a vote of no confidence adding that “failure to do that democratically, the chapter shall use other means to see the duo out of power.”
The FDC and students are accusing Papa Were and Mr Isaac Kwagala, the Guild Speaker for going against their will and their failure to understand matters directly affecting students.
Last week Makerere students rejected the 15 per cent tuition increment as proposed by their guild leadership.
Addressing journalists at on Thursday last week, Kahiigi said the guild leadership proposed the tuition increment without consulting students.
He claimed that the University Council is agreeable to the guild position, which will be endorsed when students are still in holiday.
“This [increment] comes at a time when everyone is in holidays. They tried to pass these policies when we were here; we fought tooth and nail and they suspended them. Now we are off for holidays and they want to pass these polices. I assure you, we shall protest if this proposal is approved,” Mr Kahiigi warned.
