Makerere University students hailing from western Uganda have collected Shs 8 million to help three of their suspended colleagues get justice.
The suspended students are; Frank Bwambale alias Young, a student of journalism and mass communication, David Musiri, a student of bachelor of office and information management and Roy Rugumayo, a student of bachelor of commerce.
The university deputy vice chancellor, Prof William Bazeyo suspended the trio on September 7 for allegedly organizing unlawful assemblies through social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. They were accused of rallying other students to protest the 15 per cent tuition increment.
The students were charged in court for allegedly inciting violence and are being tried at Buganda Road Magistrate's court.
The trio was expected to appear before court this morning but the case failed to take off because the police witnesses didn't show up on grounds that they were preparing for tomorrow's 56th Independence Day celebrations.
State prosecutor, Elizabeth Nandala asked the presiding Grade One magistrate, Joan Acca Ketty to adjourn the matter to allow the police witnesses more time to come and testify.
The witnesses include Joseph Nsabimana, the Wandegeya divisional police commander, Jude Masingano, the officer in charge of Makerere University police post and detectives Patrick Ogunya and Rona Kamugasha.
Shortly after the court session, a member of Western Uganda Students Association (WUSA) of Makerere University presented a cheque of Shs 8 million to the suspects' lawyer, Isaac Semakadde to contribute to the legal fees of their colleagues.
Bernard Taremwa, the WUSA president said that they agreed as members of the association in a meeting last week on how best to help their suspended colleagues.
According to Taremwa, they agreed that each member of the association which is comprised of 83 members should contribute whatever they can and managed to raise Shs 8 million.
Taremwa said they will add the lawyer Shs 4 million when students return to campus. Semakadde welcomed the gesture; saying will take on the task to represent their colleagues in court. He asked court to compel prosecution to close the case if the witnesses are not ready to come in court.
The matter will return to court on October 18 for hearing.
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