Makerere University Council Suspends 15 Percent Tuition Increment

The Makerere University management has suspended the tuition increment.

Earlier this month, Guild President Ivan Ssempijja asked the university management to want the halt the 15% tuition increment policy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic constraints.

The student leaders also demanded a waiver on functional fees, which is part of tuition. They argue that online studies did not give students a chance to fully utilize items paid for like sports, halls of residence and library among others.

The 15 percent policy provides that the university will increase tuition by 15 percent every academic year for the next five years. 

The policy took effect with the students enrolled for the 2019/2020 academic year triggering chaos in the university with the students, saying it will deny children from poor families from accessing education.

On Friday, the members of the Guild and the University Council held a meeting on the matter.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, the University Vice-Chancellor, says that the council heeded the request of the students and the increment has been suspended for the next two years.  

//Cue in: “Council suspended the…   Cue out…we all see”// 

The decision means that new entrants for the next two years will find the Makerere fees structure maintained as that of the 2019 intake. 

Maurice Okirya, a student pursuing a Bachelor of Law in his fourth year hailed the student leadership for standing with the students during the difficult time.

 What a day! Nothing gives me pride like delivering on what we promised. It’s a dream come true.”   Okirya said. 

Private institutions like Uganda Christian University also scrapped functional fees during this Covid-19 situation while the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) scrapped accommodation fees.