Stranded Makerere University students ‘on their own’

The Makerere University students currently stranded in Kampala after the closure of the institution should plan their return home, the Information Minister has said.

Earlier this week, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered the University to be closed after its lecturers went on strike demanding for eight months of unpaid salaries.

South Sudanese self-sponsored students there, estimated to number 180, say they are now stranded.

However, Michael Makuei says the government can only take responsibility if their security was compromised.

“Anybody who went there on his own should come on his own if he wants to come back,” Mr Makuei told Eye Radio.

“We only intervene when there is insecurity to South Sudanese, not on other issues.”

The South Sudanese Students Association says all foreign students were ordered to report to their respective embassies.

It says most of their families cannot afford tickets for them to return to Juba.