Eight arrested as Kyambogo students protest against switch to digital lectures over Covid surge

Eight Kyambogo University students were on Thursday arrested by Police after a protest broke out at the institution over suspension of physical learning.

Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor Prof Elly Katunguka  earlier this week suspended physical learning and ordered for online learning after  a spike in covid19 infections at the university that saw eight cases registered.

On Thursday morning, a protest broke out at the university and according to the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, the students were protesting against the move to have lectures online after being mobilized by their leaders.

“The students wanted online learning stopped. They alleged that they were very expensive. They also asked for extension of the semester,”Owoyesigyire said.

He said that when the protests broke out, the students threatened to destroy the university installations prompting police to swing into action to contain the situation, leading to the arrest of eight students.

The Kampala Police mouthpiece named the arrested students as Kato Eriasa, Kasozi Bright, Namara Claire, Nkurunziza Alphonse, Malingumu Ivan, Ssali Geoffrey, Waiswa Calvin and Mbazira John.

“They have been charged with inciting violence. They are detained at Jinja Road Police Station as investigations continue,” he said.

The latest development comes on the backdrop of an increase in the number of Covid cases, especially in Kampala and surrounding areas.

Schools and other institutions of higher learning have also been targeted by the virus.

This has prompted  experts to warn of a looming lockdown if the situation doesn’t change.