Makerere University Students who are involved in demonstrations protesting against the new tuition fees policy have a point. It is imperative to note that although these striking students are fighting physically for a cause, it is known inside the crevasse of their hearts that they are battling for their parents, guardians, brothers, sisters and all relatives who are away.

Currently if the parents of the students at Makerere University don’t work in government offices where reports indicate that public funds are stolen at wish, very few Ugandans can honour the 60% Tuition policy. The management of Makerere University in its new tuition policy wants all private students to pay 60% of the tuition fees in the first few weeks of the semester.

But the striking students know very well that they hail from indigent families! Back home they stay in grass thactched, muddy and wattle houses. Who is Uganda’s enemy in this pursuit? Above all, these are students who will end up unemployed after pursuing their DIPLOMAS, CERTIFICATES and DEGREES at Makerere University. With my experience as a student at Makerere University, I know very well that there are several Ugandans with connections with president Museveni’s government who are already employment without having necessary qualifications. But they go to the university to chase for qualifications for purposes of cementing their jobs. It is sad to mention that it is these same people, some working in police, beating, arresting and shooting at Makerere University poor students who are only demanding for justice. I this is very unfair. As an academician, a journalist, and a ‘practicing politician,’ I know the new tuition policy at Makerere  University may not affect members of the general public directly today but it will crave them either way in future. So do not say that you are not bothered because your relatives, sons or daughters are infants. One day you will be duty bound to incrust the same tuition policy in future. So Ugandans need to wake up and say ‘NO’ to some ‘draconian’ policies at Makerere University, “As we build For the Future!

The writer is Walakira Nyanzi, a former Guild Minister at Makerere University and currently the LCIII Speaker of Makindye Sabagabo, in Kampala.