Why Starving Govt-Sponsored MUK Students Met Bobi Wine
By Angel Lubowa
MAKERERE
THE leader of NUP , Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine Friday , November 1st,2024 urged government to meet it’s mandate on catering for Makerere university government sponsored students who have gone several months without allowances.
He said w the situation was “a humanitarian concern.” stressing that students should not have to go to extreme lengths to access basic necessities.
The students mostly on government sponsorship had visited NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule to seek relief over the financial strain brought on by several months of unpaid allowances by government which has left them struggling to afford basic needs, including food. Kyagulanyi treated them to a self-service meal.
The group, composed of students residing both within and outside campus hostels, reported receiving almost nothing this semester out of the expected Shs799,000 in food allowances.
They said the shortfall has left them relying on loans and even parting with essential belongings to make ends meet.
The students warned that the prolonged lack of financial support was beginning to affect their mental health, with some openly admitting that they feared the conditions might lead to extreme outcomes, including thoughts of suicide.
Approximately 4,500 Makerere University students are estimated to have gone three months without their facilitation allowances.
In response to their plight, they recently staged a march to the Ministry of Finance, demanding answers.
During the protest on October 30, they met with the State Minister for Finance, Henry Musasizi, who acknowledged the issue, noting that while a supplementary budget request from the university had been submitted, it was still under review.