PHOTOS: Teargas and arrests as Makerere university striking students match to Parliament

Today’s peaceful morning demonstration at Makerere University abruptly turned violent.This followed police interception of students who were matching to Parliament to launch a petition to the speaker.

Police fired teargas,  rubber and live bullets in the air to disperse the students.

One student was overhead saying,  they a peaceful and it’s only the police leading them to violence.

Sam Omara, the Kampala Metropolitan commander said that the University had pushed the deadline and students had no reason to strike. He promised to deal with them accordingly if they didn’t cool down.

Earlier in the day,  Angry students had gathered at the freedom square demanding the University to scrap off what they call 100% policy.  The policy demands that all students pay full tuition by the six week. A meeting by the University Council had determined 14th March which was later pushed to 27th March.

The students led by the former Guild President Ivan Bwowe sat for a meeting with the University administration.

Amidst the meeting,  Aisha Kabada,  the RCC  Kampala arrived amidst cheers from the students. It’s not clear what her purpose at the University was.

Ivan Bwowe together with the delegates that attended the meeting arrived only to brief the students with bad news.
‘Their is nothing fruitful going on ……., ‘ said Bwowe.

This prompted the students to chant, ‘ Parliament,  Speaker ‘ calling on fellows to join them for their procession to  Parliament.

The students,  followed by hundreds of fellows stormed Wandegeya.  It was until they had crossed YMCA when police intercepted them.

It’s not yet  clear how many have been arrested and how many have sustained injuries during the process.  The situation remains tense