International Student Movement

May 4th, University of Makerere:

Students threaten Hunger Strike
Against State repression

Police attacked students at the University of Makerere (Uganda) during a protest against tuition fees on April 15th injuring 70 people. During the following two weeks riots broke out in Kampala, when people protested rising prices for food and fuel. Furthermore "security" forces violently arresting an opposition leader, attacking protesters using live amunition, rubber bullets and tear gas killing at least two people and injuring more than 120.
Some students at Makerere University have declared their will to go on hunger strike on the 4th of May if on the 2nd of May cases of police beating, shooting or injuring civilians are reported as the walk-to-work campaign resumes. The student leaders however, claim that this move is not mandatory to other students.

The walk-to-work campaign is breeding other means of protest with the latest being a threat to go on hunger strike by the Makerere University community. The chairman LC5 of Makerere, Benard Luyiga who successfully staged a hunger strike in 2006 has declared that he will sit outside the main gate and eat nothing on Wednesday 4th May if any person should be beaten, shot or arrested in an attempt to walk to work saying that his decision is based on the need to have a society where security respects the noble cries of the citizens.

Luyiga's move has been re-echoed by the guild president of Makerere University, Denis Onekalait and other student representatives saying that he will contribute to the strike but he wont organize a wholesome urging that it should be on a personal basis.

Joseph Kakooza the IPC representative of said that he has already mobilized 200 students, 150 of which are IPC and the other 50 are NRM to go for the strike.

The initiator of the hunger strike, Councillor Benard luyiga says that there is no definite time span for his hunger strike but the guild president Onekalait says that he will only do three days.

The student leaders are also asking the Inspector General of Police, Kale kayihura to maintain the faith they have in him by restraining any more unfortunate confrontation between police and the civilians.