“Gov’t sponsored students are leading Makerere University demo”-  Education Minister

The Minister for Education who also doubles as the First Lady, Janet Kataaha Museveni has blamed government sponsored students for spearheading the demonstrations at Makerere University.

The Ivory Tower last week experienced a nasty four-day protest against the 15 percent cumulative tuition policy approved by the university council last year as students protested against the move.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, Mrs. Museveni said despite the increment being agreed upon by both the student leadership and the university management, it is appalling that the demonstrations have persisted and are spearheaded by government-sponsored students.

“It is important to understand that Makerere University Management took the trouble to ensure that students were fully involved and consulted in the process of establishing an acceptable tuition fee structure for the Institution, through a series of consultations with the student leadership, and the outcomes were agreed upon by both parties, as well as bench-marking with other similar universities,”Mrs. Museveni said.

“What is most disheartening is that some of the students at the forefront of these dubious demonstrations at Makerere University are the “privileged ones.”

The Education Minister said a number of those leading the demonstrations are sponsored by government, State House and the Master Card Foundation whereas others are beneficiaries of the Higher Education students’ loan scheme started by government.

“One young student lied about his “vulnerable family” to get on the State House scholarship program only for us to learn later that he has an able-bodied mother with a well-paying government job. That makes one wonder: What is behind these student demonstrations,” the Minister said.

The Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga on Monday told journalists that a group of politicians and other activists are believed to have masterminded the demonstrations that rocked Makerere University last week.

Commenting to this assertion by the Police, the Education Minister said it is appalling for some politicians to look for capital through financing demonstrations.

“The political opposition in this country - who are well funded “somehow” by some “unknown sources” – find it useful to pay unemployed young people to riot wherever and whenever they believe they see a viable opportunity. They are also people who have made it their way of life to be paid to join any riot wherever it is happening,” she said.

“Unfortunately for those who stir trouble and mislead young minds, there is one who sees what is in people’s hearts and He is the one who is the ultimate Judge; that Judge holds all of us to account; soon or later. We may not see that judgment quickly but in due time it does catch up with each one of us.”

The First Lady urged Makerere University students to desist from being used by “unscrupulous” people for their own selfish gains.