The Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oboth Oboth, has expressed surprise over Makerere University's decision to stop providing meals to students in June 2018. This revelation was made during a meeting with Makerere University student leaders, led by their Speaker, Trevis Mutatiina Muhwezi. According to Mutatiina, the cost of feeding has become a significant challenge for students. The meeting was held at the Parliament of Uganda.
Government-sponsored students currently receive a daily meal allowance of Shs4,500, broken down into Shs500 for breakfast, Shs2,000 for lunch, and Shs2,000 for supper. However, Mutatiina argued that this allowance is inadequate, particularly given the rising cost of food in Kampala. The student leaders claimed that the allowance has not kept pace with inflation, making it difficult for students to afford meals.
Mutatiina also pointed out that government-sponsored students in other parts of the country receive higher meal allowances than their counterparts in Kampala, despite the relatively high cost of living in the capital. This disparity has sparked concerns about the fairness of the meal allowance system. The student leaders appealed to the government to increase the meal allowance or provide sufficient funding to cover at least one meal per day.
In response, Speaker Oboth Oboth promised to raise the students' concerns with the Parliamentary Committee on Education for further consideration and action. The Speaker acknowledged that the meal allowance issue is a critical concern that needs to be addressed. He assured the students that their concerns would be taken up with the relevant authorities.
Apart from meal allowances, students also raised concerns about accommodation at the university. Female students called for the construction of an additional hostel within Makerere University, citing the limited accommodation available. They argued that the shortage of hostels forces some students to make long journeys between the university and their places of residence, exposing them to safety risks.
The student leaders emphasized that the accommodation shortage is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed urgently. They appealed to the university administration and the government to invest in additional hostel infrastructure. This would help alleviate the accommodation challenges faced by students, particularly female students.
The meeting between the Speaker and student leaders highlights the ongoing challenges faced by students at Makerere University. The issues of meal allowances and accommodation are critical concerns that require attention from the government and university administration. The Speaker's commitment to raising these concerns with the Parliamentary Committee on Education is a positive step towards addressing these challenges.
Key points
- Makerere University stopped providing meals to students in June 2018.
- Government-sponsored students receive a daily meal allowance of Shs4,500.
- Students appeal for increased meal allowance or sufficient funding to cover at least one meal per day.
