MUST students protest delays in release of school practice funds

More than 400 students of Mbarara University of Science and Technology-MUST have Wednesday gone on protested the delays to release of their school practice allowances.

The students stormed the office of the Resident City Commissioner Mbarara city demanding his intervention.

According to Musa Nalugooda the President of the Mbarara University Faculty of science students Association, each student is entitled to 400,000 shillings for each school practice. Nalugooda explains that this money is meant to facilitate their accommodation and meals at schools during the practice.    

However, the students were dispatched to different parts of the country for practice but were not facilitated. Some of them allegedly rented houses and have failed to settle their debts.

But, 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.  

The faculty Administrator Dr. Peace Mbabazi 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.

Mbabazi says they need 156 million to clear all outstanding allowances.