KAMPALA — Student leaders in higher institutions of learning have mapped out a robust plan to return at the forefront of social change through activism.
Speaking to reporters at a pressure conference in Kampala, Law Development Center (LDC) Guild President Moses Byamugisha said many students now fear to engage in activism over consequences that include indefinite suspension from their universities.
He said students those that have tried are still battling injuries from the early strikes that for instance happened in Makerere University against tuition fees.
Byamugisha made the remarks as students leaders engaged to brainstorm on how they can revive university movements.
He also said they are mostly impeded by the fact that they cannot afford legal fees when they are apprehended saying that previously, some of their colleagues who demonstrated had to be incarcerated because they couldn’t afford to hire lawyers to negotiate for things as simple as a police bond that is supposed to free.
Student protests have helped lead to landmark Court rulings on matters and tuition fees and free speech rights within schools.
Anita Komugisha, a student leader at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) said the spirit of activism in Ugandan Universities has been hit hard by the fact that students are no longer foresighted and only care about the present.
Ruth Asiimwe, the Executive Director of Youthline Forum told reporters her organization will facilitate students to share notes with colleagues across the East African region to fight for their rights.
One of the strategies that they are pushing for is for students to amplify any injustices that happen to their colleagues through social media platforms by sharing information widely whenever it comes through.
