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Museveni orders Makerere University closed over student riots


Wednesday November 2, 2016

Uganda police put off bonfires lit on a road by Makerere students. /COURTESY
Uganda police put off bonfires lit on a road by Makerere students. /COURTESY

Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday closed Makerere University following student unrest.

"Pursuant to the powers vested in me by the constitution of the republic of Uganda, I have decided to close Makerere with immediate effect," he said.

In a statement to newsrooms, Museveni said the closure of the school will guarantee safety of persons and property.

His directive follows hours of turbulence at the Uganda’s oldest university.

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On Tuesday, the students went on rampage and engaged officers in running battles around the institution.

Clad in red and black gowns, the students broke into peoples’ shops and houses near the campus gates.

The rioting students demanded that lecturers who had gone on strike resume teaching.

Museveni's closure of the institution goes against universities norms where powers to run it is vested on the Vice Chancellor.

 





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