The Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) students Wednesday protested the delays to the release of their school practise allowances.
More than 400 students stormed the office of the Resident City Commissioner in Mbarara City and asked for his help.
Musa Nalugooda, the President of the Mbarara University Faculty of Science Students Association, says each student is entitled to 400,000 shillings for each school practice. The money will help them stay and eat at schools during their practice.
In Nalugooda’s words, the students were sent to practise in different parts of the country, but they were not helped.
Nalugooda says that some students rented houses and have failed to settle their debts.
Another student, Job Kimanay, says the university management should come out and explain why they were not given the money yet it was released in November.
Julius Hejju, the Dean of the Faculty of Science, says the university and the students agreed that the students start their school practise as management processes their payment.
Dr. Peace Mbabazi, the faculty administrator, says the delay in clearing the students’ allowances was due to a change in the school calendar. She explains that they had earlier received the money, but it bounced back to the treasury. She, however, says that they expect to receive the money in April.
She says they need 156 million to cover all outstanding allowances.
In the city of Mbarara, James Mwesigye, the Resident Commissioner, has asked the District Police Commander to look into what the students say about the police.