The National Unity Platform (NUP) has hosted government-sponsored students from Makerere University at its headquarters to address the worsening hunger crisis impacting the university community.

The gathering followed reports of intimidation from university administrators, who had allegedly threatened students with repercussions for voicing their hardships.

Despite these pressures, a significant number of students attended the meeting, where they shared their struggles with NUP’s leadership.

Students highlighted a dire situation at Makerere, detailing how financial hardships and food scarcity are affecting their well-being.

Many pointed out that their semester funding of UGX 799,000 has been delayed for over three months, forcing them to borrow from informal lenders. As a result, students have risked losing their valuable items, such as laptops and educational materials, to loan sharks.

NUP leaders criticised the government’s handling of the situation, comparing the students’ plight to broader national challenges.

They emphasized that while many countries provide free or subsidised university education, Uganda has slashed the number of scholarships from 5,000 to roughly 3,000, exacerbating the crisis.emphasised

In a show of solidarity, NUP distributed relief items to affected students, underscoring the government’s failure to support its scholars and urging officials to take immediate action.

The party explained that this gesture was a reminder of the state’s unmet obligations to the country’s youth.

NUP also reiterated its dedication to improving education and healthcare, which it views as essential pillars for Uganda’s development.

The party encouraged students to remain vocal and active in advocating for their rights, emphasising that collective action is crucial in demanding accountability.

The meeting ended with calls for resilience and unity among students. NUP leaders stressed that their ongoing struggle is emblematic of larger national issues and underscored the need for focused efforts to address these systemic problems.