KAMPALA — Kyambogo University Guild President Benjamin Akiso has issued a stern warning to the university administration, threatening to halt all academic activities if 17 students suspended over a recent protest are not immediately reinstated.
Speaking at a press conference this week, Akiso called on Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka to allow the affected students to sit for their end-of-semester examinations, despite not having completed full tuition payments. The exams are scheduled to begin on May 7.
“As Guild President of Kyambogo, I’m still firm, and my demands are very crucial,” Akiso said. “Students should be allowed to sit for exams even if they have only paid 70% of their tuition. The suspended students must also be reinstated.”
Akiso condemned what he termed as increasing attacks on student freedoms at the university, citing the recent student arrests, tuition surcharges, and disciplinary measures as excessive and punitive. He further accused the administration of suppressing freedom of expression and abusing its authority.
In response to the disciplinary actions, Akiso revealed that the student leadership is preparing to petition the courts of law, Parliament, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the National Council for Higher Education. The goal, he said, is to seek urgent intervention against what student leaders are describing as unjust treatment.
The controversy stems from an April 23 protest, when students demonstrated against the university’s full tuition payment policy as a condition for registration. They also opposed a UGX 50,000 late registration fee. Demonstrators demanded that students who have paid at least 70% of their tuition be allowed to sit for examinations.
The protest led to the arrest of ten students, who were detained at Jinja Road Police Station from Wednesday to Friday before appearing before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court. They were remanded to Luzira Prison and later released on bail on April 29. Each student paid UGX 100,000, and their sureties were bonded at UGX 2 million in non-cash bail.
Soon after the court proceedings, the university administration issued suspension letters to 17 students, including Akiso. The letters, signed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Katunguka, accuse the students of misconduct, including disrupting lectures, inciting unrest around the university and in the neighbouring Banda community, and burning tyres—offences said to contravene Regulation 19 of the university’s student code of conduct.
The suspended students are: Owor John Masanja, Mwesigwa Timothy, Kiptoo Ian Cheywa, Akiso Benjamin, Avaye Nickson, Washitwaya Joel Vincent, Nansenja Winnie, Moro Alfred, Kajubi Maktum, Murozi Abel, Namanya Bashaija Hillary, Muguluma Wahab, Muganzi Asaph, Okello Emmanuel, Kiwumulo Paul, Kabuni Evalyn, and Kayemba Muhammed.
The administration has not yet responded to the Guild’s demands, and tensions remain high as exams approach. Students and university officials alike are awaiting further developments, as the standoff threatens to disrupt academic operations at one of Uganda’s largest public universities.