THE Makerere University students who were arrested in the riots on Friday will be prosecuted in the courts of law and seriously disciplined by the university.

The disciplinary measures may entail expulsion. This decision was arrived at in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and Chancellor, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi.

It was attended by Education and sports minister Namirembe Bitamazire, State minister for Finance Mwesigwa Rukutana, deputy chairperson of the university Council Kiganda, Vice Chancellor Livingstone Luboobi, University secretary Sam Akorimo, Academic registrar, Amos Olal Odur, Chairman Appointments Board, Peter Ntimba, Guild President, Maurice Kibalya and guild ministers.

The meeting condemned the hooliganism of the students, which resulted into the death of a young man, Ibrahim Ssengendo. They sent condolences to the family of the deceased.

Nsibambi condemned the burning of vehicles of innocent people, damaging and looting of the guild and staff canteens and stealing of goods and fuel from the neighbouring areas of Sir Apolo Kaggwa Road and Nakulabye.

The meeting resolved that the university should examine the genuine grievances of the students and take appropriate action in two weeks.

They include students missing marks and clashing timetables which leads them to do retakes. Prof. Luboobi agreed to handle the matters.

The university management said the students and parents had confused payment of sh6,000 with the charges that students must incur when they retake a course unit. The government ceased paying costs of retakes and the university had to ensure that the students meet these costs.

The meeting resolved that the Media Centre would to help all public universities to improve their communication capacity.

Bitamazire said, "We set up a committee which will take two weeks to investigate and gather views about this policy. The committee will then make recommendations to the university Council with a view of reviewing the policy."

Kibalya said, "Those rates are abnormal and we shall not allow to pay them."

By Saturday morning, the university was calm with broken bottles strewed all over and fire still burning in the midst of the roads. The Police had re-deployed at the campus.

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