Makerere University Pardons Three Students Suspended Over Hunger Protest

By Our Reporter

NATIONAL

Makerere University has pardoned three students earlier suspended for engaging in a hunger protest accusing government of delaying to release money for their feeding.

In a letter dated 11^th November, 2024, and addressed to the Guild President, Nsamba Vincent Lubega, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the University Vice Chancellor rescinded the suspension with immediate effect.

“Reference is made to yours dated 11^th November, 2024. You have requested me to pardon the students who were involved in a riot on 8^th November, 2024 claiming that they were protesting against delayed payment of food allowances for government sponsored students,” reads Nawangwe’s letter.

“I hereby rescind the suspension of the three students with immediate effect. Please advise the affected students to desist from engaging in acts of hooliganism at the University,” says Nawangwe.

Makerere University had suspended student leader Mr. Aliat Oyet (and two others) for his role in mobilizing a protest against the delayed disbursement of student allowances.

The suspension letter, issued by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on November 8, 2024, accused Oyet of participating in activities described as “violent” and disruptive to university order. The protest highlighted severe delays in the provision of food and living out allowances that are crucial for students’ daily survival.

The official letter read, “The acts allegedly committed include participating in a violent demonstration against delayed disbursement of food and living out allowance for semester 2024/2025, well knowing that arrangements were being made to pay the allowances.” It further noted that this behavior violated the “Makerere University Rules and Regulations, 2015, Section 8 (9)(a).”