The United States Government has added her voice to the condemnation of events at Makerere University that saw students beaten and their rooms forcefully broken into by security forces.
This condemnation is contained in a statement issued on Monday by the US Embassy in Kampala saying the attacks on students and journalist by security forces in the ongoing strike against a tuition increase are uncalled for.
“The U.S. Mission in Uganda is increasingly concerned about the violence at Makerere University in response to ongoing protests against the proposed tuition increases. Footage of security services attacking unarmed students in their residence halls and attacks on journalists covering the protests are especially disturbing,” the statement reads in part.
It adds, “This heavy-handed response by security services is uncalled for, and is a direct affront to the freedoms of assembly, speech and expression guaranteed by Uganda’s constitution. We urge the Government of Uganda to allow all Ugandans to exercise their basic rights peacefully and without fear.”
The university has been hit by a students’ strike over the university 15% tuition increase.
Last week, the security forces (army and police) raided the university halls of residence beating up students and breaking into their rooms.
Meanwhile, the university has maintained its stance on the tuition increase.
