Makerere University Crackdown Sparks Debate Over Student Activism and Campus Security
KAMPALA, Uganda – A recent wave of arrests, suspensions, and expulsions at Makerere University in Uganda is fueling a national debate over the balance between student rights to protest and university administration’s concerns for safety and order.The incidents highlight a long-standing tension between student activism and authorities, with critics alleging a intentional effort to stifle dissent on campus.
The controversy flared recently with the arrest of ten students following protests over tuition hikes and university policies. Akiso,one of those arrested,and nine others were released on bail after four days,but subsequently faced a 30-day suspension and were barred from campus,preventing them from taking their semester exams. In July, Akiso was expelled – a decision he plans to contest in court.
“No matter the situation, I am determined to continue expressing my right to peacefully assemble when universities set unfair polices and ignore our issues,” Akiso stated, reflecting a determination to continue advocating for student concerns despite the repercussions.
The university’s actions are drawing criticism from legal advocates and students who argue they represent a broader pattern of repression. Henry Byansi, a lawyer representing Akiso and programs manager at Chapter Four Uganda, a legal nonprofit, asserts that the aggressive response to student protests “makes universities [a] unfriendly environment for students.”
The issue extends beyond the use of armed police on campus,according to Ankunda Shivan,a first-year land surveying and geometrics student. She points to a shift in how student governance operates, noting that the university administration now controls student guild elections, conducting them entirely online for the past three years. Physical campaigns are no longer permitted. “This shift, she believes, is part of a broader effort to suppress students.”
The administration defends its actions, citing safety concerns. Zahara Nampewo, deputy dean at Makerere University’s school of law, explained that the ban on physical elections followed the death of a student visiting from another university during election-related activities in 2022.
“Yes, student’s freedom of association and physical campaigns are important. [But] the safety of every student and everybody working and walking through this university is paramount,” Nampewo said. She also emphasized the importance of opening channels for meaningful dialogue between administration and students, suggesting it could reduce reliance on armed security forces on campus.
The situation at Makerere University isn’t isolated. The university has historically been a focal point for political and social activism in Uganda. As research associate Joe Besigye Bazirake succinctly put it, “If Makerere is on fire, the nation pays attention. Power pays attention.” This underscores the university’s meaning as a barometer of national sentiment and a potential catalyst for broader change.
The ongoing dispute raises basic questions about the role of universities in a democratic society: are they primarily institutions of learning, or also spaces for robust debate and dissent? And how can universities balance the need for security and order with the protection of students’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly? The case of Akiso and his fellow students will likely serve as a test case for these issues, with the outcome perhaps shaping the future of student activism and university governance in Uganda.
