Student leaders decry persecution of activists

Regional student leaders in higher institutions of learning in East Africa have decried persecution of student activists and muzzling of their voices on matters affecting them, writes Javira Ssebwami for PML Daily.

Speaking to reporters after a one-week training held in Ugandan capital, Kampala, the leaders in a joint statement accused authorities in their respective countries of suppressing students’ movements. The result, they claim, is that some students cope by steering clear of any activism that may attract government attention or sanction, succumbing to the chilling effect of harassment.

These kinds of restrictions on student movements were on view in 2019 when students at Uganda’s Makerere University protested against tuition fees increment. Government troops responded to peaceful protests with excessive lethal force, permanently injuring a number of students and reportedly raping women protesters.
Full report on the PML Daily site