Kyambogo University Suspends Guild President and 16 Others Following Fees Protest
Kyambogo University has suspended Guild President Benjamin Akiso and 16 other students for one month following their participation in a demonstration against tuition policies. The protest, held on April 23, 2025, challenged a university directive requiring students to pay full tuition before registration, the imposition of a Shs 50,000 late registration fee, and restrictions preventing students who had paid at least 70% of their fees from sitting for exams.
In a suspension letter signed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka, the students were accused of misconduct, including disrupting lectures, inciting commotion on campus, burning tires in Banda, and engaging in an unauthorized demonstration—actions that allegedly violated Regulation 19 of the university’s student code.
Quoting Regulation 40, the letter justified the suspensions as being in the best interest of the university. The suspension took effect from April 29 to May 31, 2025, during which time the affected students are barred from accessing campus premises without written approval from the Vice Chancellor.
The suspended students have been directed to prepare their defense in anticipation of a disciplinary hearing by the Students’ Affairs and Welfare Committee. The university has yet to specify the date of the hearing.
The list of suspended students includes: Owor John Masanja, Mwesigwa Timothy, Kiptoo Ian Cheywa, Avaye Nickson, Washitwaya Joel Vincent, Nansenja Winnie, Moro Alfred, Kajubi Maktum, Murozi Abel, Namanya Bashaija Hillary, Muguluma Wahab, Muganzi Asaph, Okello Emmanuel, Kiwumulo Paul, Kabuni Evalyn, and Kayemba Muhammed.
While universities are traditionally seen as platforms for freedom of expression and democratic engagement, this incident has sparked concern among education advocates, who view the crackdown as a sign of shrinking civic space on Ugandan campuses.
