Kampala - Police on Tuesday morning fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse striking students shortly after the Makerere University management said it had suspended the additional graduations fees announced earlier on.

The university management last week announced an increment in the graduation fees from sh90,000 (about Rwf22,500) to sh220,000 (about about Rwf55,000), prompting students led by their guild president Ivan Bwowe to go on strike protesting against the move which they referred to as unfair.

Despite the university’s decision, the students have refused to calm down, insisting the additional charges of sh130,000 (about Rwf32,500) should be removed completely.

"It is not a matter of suspending the sh130,000 (additional charges). We want that money (additional charges) scrapped completely. We are tired of these prolonged negotiations,” shouted the students.

Yesterday, police led by the regional operations commander for Kampala Metropolitan Sam Omala have also foiled several attempts by the students to leave the university premises on claims that they would disrupt businesses in the neighbouring areas of Wandegeya, Kikoni and Mulago.

However, Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road was blocked and traffic diverted by some students who managed to sneak out. On Thursday last week, the students gave the university management up to Monday (two days ago) to review the graduation fees, which according to them is unfair.

"If our grievances are not addressed by Monday, we shall go on strike,” Bwowe said on Thursday.

Since the beginning of this year, students have staged numerous strikes, opposing a number of management decisions and the last one was in July where they opposed the University council’s decision to scrap meals in the halls of residence and the 10 percent tuition increment policy for the new students, which management has since reversed.

This comes barely two months after President Yoweri Museveni directed the university to suspend the 10 percent tuition fee increment for new students which was expected to generate Shs2.4 billion, this academic year.