MP Nsereko asks govt to bail out stranded Makerere students
According to Nsereko, these students will be barred from sitting for examinations and graduating yet their parents and guardians are also taxpayers in Uganda.
Kampala Central Member of Parliament Muhammad Nsereko has asked government to bail out 3000 Makerere University students grappling with paying tuition fees, instead of reserving financial bailouts to only struggling businesses.
According to Nsereko, these students will be barred from sitting for examinations and graduating yet their parents and guardians are also taxpayers in Uganda.
“We ask government to come out with a bailout, what we call an education rebate because the students’ loan scheme was suspended but these are the people that have tried to pay for themselves and probably are failing in the 3rd or 4th year. Therefore, our indulgence in this matter will help us treat the issue of mental health at the University, some students want to commit suicide,” said Nsereko.
He noted that government has bailed out a number of people in business corridors Roko, Bujagali through tax waivers.
“Their parents pay their taxes; none of them wouldn’t like to see their children reaching the pinnacle of their education that is graduating with a bachelor’s from a University. What best thing can we do for the girl and boy child rather than help to bail them out during their most important time of need than investing in their education now?” remarked Nsereko.
However, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa questioned how sustainable it is to bail out students facing financial distress at Universities.
He said that although he understands the financial hardships the students face, there is need for governmet to handle this matter with caution.
“On this issue for sure, you projected NTR for these Universities and you even appropriated it, the students are getting services and I know the hardship, but I am fearing for the precedent we would set saying that when students fail,” he said.
