By Our Reporter
Tension gripped Kyambogo University this morning as students staged a protest over what they described as an unfair tuition surcharge. The demonstration, which began peacefully, quickly turned chaotic when security forces intervened with teargas and live bullets to disperse the crowd.
The protest was led by Guild President Akiso Benjamin, who voiced student frustrations over a UGX 50,000 surcharge imposed on those who fail to register within a six-week deadline. According to the students, the penalty disproportionately affects those who are already facing financial hardship, and they called on the university administration to show empathy and flexibility.
“We are not refusing to pay,” one student shouted during the protest. “We’re just asking for compassion and time.”
Many students echoed similar sentiments, saying that the economic realities for many families in Uganda make it difficult to meet tuition deadlines. They argued that the surcharge only adds pressure and could prevent students from completing their studies.
In addition to challenging the surcharge, students also demanded that those who haven’t completed full tuition payments be allowed to sit for end-of-semester exams. Under the current policy, students with outstanding balances are barred from taking exams—a regulation students claim is “too harsh” given the widespread financial challenges affecting families and guardians across the country.
“This is not just about the Shs50,000,” said another protester. “It’s about the principle. How can you lock someone out of exams after they’ve attended classes all semester just because they couldn’t finish paying in time?”
The protest, which started early in the morning, escalated when officers from the Field Force Unit (FFU) of the Uganda Police arrived to break up the demonstration. Eyewitnesses reported that police fired teargas canisters and live bullets into the air, causing panic among students and staff. Screams filled the air as crowds scattered across campus, seeking shelter in lecture halls and nearby buildings.
By late morning, calm had been restored, but a tense atmosphere lingered. Students gathered in smaller groups, some nursing the effects of teargas while others tried to understand what would come next. Several videos circulating on social media showed police using force against unarmed students, sparking public concern and criticism.
Guild President Akiso condemned the police response, calling it “unnecessary and excessive.” He emphasized the need for dialogue over confrontation.
“We are ready to engage the university administration in discussions. Students deserve to be heard, not silenced with teargas,” Akiso told reporters shortly after the chaos subsided.
University officials have not yet released an official statement regarding the protest or the demands raised by the students. However, sources within the administration indicated that an emergency meeting may be convened to address the situation.
As the semester draws to a close, uncertainty looms for many students unsure if they will be allowed to sit for exams. For them, the protest was not merely an act of defiance but a plea for understanding in the face of economic adversity.
“We want to study, we want to graduate, but we also want to be treated with dignity,” said one final-year student. “This is our future we’re fighting for.”
The events at Kyambogo University have reignited broader national conversations around the affordability and accessibility of higher education in Uganda. As tensions persist, all eyes now turn to the university’s next move—and whether it will choose dialogue over discipline.
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