KAMPALA —Journalism students at Makerere University say they have suspended classes to demand that the university address students’ concerns as protests enter second week.
Mr. John Okeya, the President Makerere University Journalism Students Association (MUJCA), in a statement dated Sunday October 27, said MUJCA stands in solidarity with the Makerere Women Caucus and the Students Guild against unfair policies and gross violence metted on unarmed students by security forces at the university last week.
“We express sympathy and support with our courageous colleagues brutalized, molested and suspended; whose only crime is exercising their freedom of expression,” Mr Okeya wrote, condemning police and military assault of journalists, along their line of duty in covering Makerere strikes.
Upon this basis, he adds, MUJCA declares a no lecture week at the department, until demands by the students Guild are met by the University Management and Council.
“All journalism and Communication students are hereby requested to take break from all classes from the Department, as the environment is not favorable for our learning,” he added.
Makerere students, who launched a strike on Tuesday last week to protest ‘unfair’ tuition increment, have also mobilised on social media to boycott classes in solidarity against tuition increment.
On Thursday night, students at Makerere fought running battles with military, demanding removal of an army camp from the campus and an apology from the army for beating up students.
Unknown number of students especially residents of Lumumba hall were injured in the evening confrontations in which army used live ammunitions, teargas in their rooms and repeated baton charges.
Students pelted police with stones and bricks in retaliation.
Students have since demanded for heads of Vice Chancellor’s personal assistant Gordon Mulangira and Prof Eria Hisali for sanctioning the brutal raid on students halls.
Students have also demanded for the immediate resignation of Vice Chancellors Prof Barnabas Nawangwe over failure to students concerns.
Other conditions include removal of army camps from the university among others.
Makerere University management will address the media on Monday afternoon according to Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu, the Manager Communications and International Relations.
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