Mbarara
University of Science and Technology-MUST students on Wednesday protested the
delays to release of their school practice allowances.
The more than 400 students stormed the office of the Resident City Commissioner
Mbarara city demanding his intervention.
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 is meant to facilitate their accommodation and meals at
schools during the practice.
According to
Nalugooda, the students were dispatched to different parts of the country for practice
but were not facilitated.
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Nalugooda
says that some students rented houses and have failed to settle their debts.
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Job Kimanay,
another student says the university management should come out and explain why
they were not given the money yet it was released in November.
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Julius Hejju, the Dean Faculty of Science says the University and the students
agreed that the students start their school practice as management processes
their payment.
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Dr. Peace
Mbabazi the faculty Administrator says the delay to clear 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 clear all outstanding allowances.
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James
Mwesigye the Mbarara City Resident Commissioner, has tasked the District Police
Commander to investigate the concerns of the students.
