Drug Abuse at the Heart of Recurrent Makerere Strikes – VC Kakumba

The acting Vice Chancellor of East Africa’s oldest institution of learning,

Makerere University’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Dr. Umar Kakumba has blamed the ongoing student strike on rampant drug abuse.

Kakumba pointed out that recurrent strikes were a result of intoxication – not genuine grievances as some observers have put it.

“There is rampant abuse of drugs and other substances. And that is really a serious matter. It is not an allegation but I am not saying all students are up to drugs,” charged Kakumba during a Monday press conference.

He was speaking about the impasse between the administration and the students over the tuition increment policy.

Kakumba said drug abuse was evident in the behavior of students and that exhibits were recovered from halls of residence during spot checks by university management.

This, Kakumba pointed out, could be one of the reasons why rampant looting and vandalism occurs each time students take to the streets.

“It is inconceivable that students would consider rioting at night. And not only with in the university, the students go to Katanga,

Kikoni, Kivulu and Wandegeya ransacking properties and Kiosks,” he added.

Kakumba said an investigation was underway and that at the right time a comprehensive report specifically on this matter would be issued.

The students are protesting the 15 percent cumulative tuition increment.

In consultation with the Guild President, the university council in 2018 passed the cumulative increment for five years.

After five years, each student will be required to pay 75 percent more.

The students say this policy discriminates the poor.

Meanwhile, Kakumba pointed out that they had received additional information from former ring leaders indicating that non-students were involved in such demonstrations.

Some of these, he said, have retakes while others have been discontinued on either disciplinary or academic grounds.

This claim was however dismissed by Makerere Guild President Julius Kateregga who said “this mudslinging is a sign that the university has failed to deal with concerns we have raised.”

Key among those Kateregga cited include the expulsion of Vice Guild Maria Siperia Saasirabo whom he said was not given a fair hearing on top of being battered by unknown elements.

“What if she is innocent, will they compensate her time or anything like that?” Kateregga asked.

“They have been giving varying reasons which we think are shaming. More so coming from educated people, people whom the country highly believes in,” he added.

That notwithstanding the university insists that the 15% tuition increment that took effect last year does not affect continuing students but is aimed at addressing funding gaps and boosting the quality of services.

“Fees collection is contributing about 35%. The bigger chunk comes from government subvention. If you don’t meet the target of internally generated revenue in terms of fees, then government will give you their part. And that means you will run in debts,” said Kakumba.

For this financial year, Makerere’s budget is Shs 316 billion of which, Shs I66 billion – which is beyond 50% shall go towards paying salaries.