Makerere students take to streets, battle police

By Robert Wanyonyi in Kampala

As riots over food and fuel prices subsided Kampala, Makerere University students went on strike, leading to a temporary closure of the institution.

The students, who were protesting over an alleged poor diet, disrupted activity in the Ugandan capital.

They barricaded roads and smashed vehicles during the riots.

Several students were arrested but were released later without charges being preferred against them. Police and other security teams, however, intensified vigilance in and around the city.

"We are fed up with the diet yet our parents pay for our food. We will not rest until they rectify the situation," said a student.

Though university authorities declined to give reason for the riots, sources told The Standard that the chaos were connected to the current stand-off between Opposition leader Kizza Besigye and the government of President Yoweri Museveni.

The students are said to have gone on rampage after rumours spread over the state of health of the opposition leader, with reports indicating he had been badly injured in the Friday skirmishes.

A lecturer, who requested anonymity, told The Standard university authorities have had a rough time controlling students after Besigye begun his protest a month ago.

"We have had it rough. At times, the security situation has been so delicate that we have had to be in contact with the police all the time. The students have been deeply sucked into this conflict," said the lecturer.