Main Campus Mutesa 1 Royal University re opens

The main campus of Muteesa 1 Royal University at Kirumba in Masaka has reopened after being closed for several days following a violent student’s strike. Police closed the university two weeks ago following riots by students over unfavorable conditions. 

The strike coincided with a crisis meeting that was convened by Dr. Frank Sebbowa, the Muteesa 1 Royal University Council chairman to discuss the student’s concerns. Justice Julia Ssebutinde, the newly appointed Chancellor who took off over from Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi was also in attendance.

The students stormed the council meeting armed with sticks and blocked the members from leaving. They threatened to lynch the council officials for alleged failure to sack the vice chancellor, Prof. Arthur Sserwanga. They accused Prof Sserwanga of incompetence and failure to effectively manage the university.

Led by their Guild President, Jesse Lumu, the students also protested the poor sanitation at the campus, lack of text books, dilapidated structures and nonpayment of their lecturers.

Dr. Kigongo Bukenya, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Muteesa Royal I university, says they have decided to reopen the university to allow first year students to report. He  adds that the university council has instituted an adhoc committee, which has already started work to investigate the complaints of the students.

Prof. Arthur Sserwanga, the embattled University Vice Chancellor has dismissed some of the allegations leveled against him by the students, saying they are institutional problems, which he found there. He cites the example of Asbestos sheets, which he found in place.