Makerere students pursuing Ethics and Human Rights have Monday morning held a protest contesting the attempt by the Administration to scrap off the course in the ongoing course review process.
If approved, the move will see the course which has been running for 5 years scrapped off and made into a subject. The course has been under the Department of Philosophy in the School of Liberal and Performing Arts.
Chimpreports spoke to some students participating in the protest who expressed dissatisfaction saying the move is unnecessary.
Noah Ahimbisibwe a 2nd year student referred to it as gross violation of human rights adding that it is a direct decision by government to suppress the voices of Ugandans.
“The course underwent an approval process prior to its establishment. On what grounds then can the same people scrap off the course?”
“I think this is government retaliation to the recent demonstration by Ethics and Human Rights students against the illegal arrest by (Kizza) Besigye. If Ministers like Byandala still possess ethics, that shows you the problem at hand,” argued Ahimbisibwe.
Kaana Phillaner who’s also a student said that with the rate at which human rights are being violated globally, removing such a course would be a blander.
Both of them argued that many Ugandans remain ignorant of these rights and such a course is a way of championing awareness.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Dumba Sentamu while responding to the issue said the University undertook to review courses a year ago.
“Reviewing programs is a normal process done world over and a year ago a committee was set up to do this. It’s for the good of the students and Uganda at large.
Makerere University students protests barefooted outside the Main building
Last Thursday, the committee gave a report in which 33 programs are supposed to be scrapped and others merged. BA Ethics and Human Rights will turn into subject.
” The VC said the decision had been reached with the consensus of College leadership and the Committee.
“We think it’s wise for this program to be taught across the board for various courses. However we haven’t agreed with students. I will present matter with council.”
In response of students’ fear of hindering their employability, Prof Dumba said this won’t in any way stop students from getting jobs.
“The Degrees acquired will still be relevant despite change of programs. People who studied from Makerere in the 90s still use their documents to get jobs yet most programs have since changed.