Anti-riot policemen on Tuesday deployed at Bukalasa Agricultural College to quell a fresh strike over examination and poor sanitation.
On Monday night, students of Bukalasa Agricultural College went on strike and threw stones in the compound in protest against sitting examinations without studies, sexual harassment, and poor sanitation among other complaints.
However, Anti-riot Policemen from Wobulenzi Police Station responded immediately and fired live bullets before they forced the students into hostels to sleep.
But on Tuesday morning, students dropped leaflets at the school and attempted to mobilize others to block examinations that were supposed to start today.
Shadrack Awena the first-year student explained that since they reported back to the college in November last year, they have been taught a few times because the lectures are demoralized over low pay.
Awena says that they were shocked when the College released timetable indicating that examinations for the first year will begin on Tuesday whereas for the second year it will start on 18th January next week.
He adds that they have never conducted any practical lessons or field trips yet they paid for them. He also alleged that sexual harassment of girls is thriving but no action has been taken against the accused lecturers.
Peter Ssekamanya another student says although there has been a major renovation at the college, several toilets remain blocked, dirty and the hostels are in bad condition.
Other female students complained of rampant Urinary Tract infections at the College over the dirty toilets.
Cosmas Sevous another student says that the Guild Council which was supposed to represent them was compromised by the administration leaving them with no alternative but to strike so that they can bring the issues to the attention of relevant authorities.
When URN reporter attempted to speak to Guild President or any representative none was willing to comment.
The students have also drafted a petition which they intend to submit to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries to investigate the principal over incompetence.
But Gelvan Kisoro Lule the Principal of Bukalasa Agricultural College said the complaints were baseless and accused section of students attempting to disrupt examinations because they were not allowed to sit over fees balances.
Kisoro said that the deployment of Policemen is intended to ensure there is peace at the College during examinations which were successfully done on the first day.
Kisoro added that the lectures have been teaching and the few toilets that could be dirty were not representative of all at the college. Cue in: “Sexual harassment …
Policemen have since arrested Cosmas Sevous and Shadrack Awena for speaking to the media and are detained at Police Bukalasa Police Post.
Isah Ssemogerere the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson says that the situation is calm at the College and Policemen are still deployed to avert any strike.
Students of Bukalasa Agriculture College returned to the college on November 1st last year and will break off for holidays on 28th January after the examinations.
In November last year, the Ministry of Education and Sports completed the major renovation works at Bukalasa Agricultural College which cost about 9.4 billion shillings.
