MAKERERE – Makerere University Guild President Julius Kateregga has on Thursday July 18 criticized the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe following the boarding off of the Freedom Square, a popular spot for students and staff assembly.
The Guild President reasons that restricting the Freedom Square, was an infringement on the ideals of “academic freedom” espoused by the University and sends a wrong signal to the country.
“This metallic fence alters the name and purpose of Freedom Square … [it] is a symbol of academic freedom in the university and in the nation,” Mr. Kateregga wrote, adding that the student population was sensitive to policies that curtail freedom of expression and association.
“We kindly request that this fence be brought down with immediate effect as we preserve our heritage for the future,” he added.
The Guild President requested the Vice Chancellor to reconsider the action the move, and demanded that stakeholders should always be engaged before making any changes at the University.
“We, therefore, request you to instruct the welders to stop the ongoing fencing with immediate effect. But also request that before any changes are made on historical University symbols, stakeholders opinions are captured,” Mr Kateregga wrote.
The Makerere Freedom Square is a compound where almost all the University events and functions including the graduations, conferences, expos and other programmes that happen to concern the University take place.
