There was drama at Makerere University when students presented a cake to the suspended Makerere University Academic Staff Association (Muasa) chairperson, Dr Deus Kamunyu.
The cake which had the wording; "Suspended by Nawangwe" written on was presented to Kamunyu on Friday at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
The students sang the Makerere University anthem while presenting Kamunyu with the cake. They also prayed for him and all other suspended staff and asked them to remain strong in such moments '"because their fight is legitimate."
The students also launched a campaign dubbed "Where Is My Suspension?", arguing that the vice chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe is on a mission to suspend every one with dissenting voices from Makerere.
Following Kamunyu's suspension on January 17, staff laid down tools in protest - leading to shutdown of the university. Nawangwe who was recently praised by President Yoweri Museveni for restoring discipline at Makerere has made it a habit to suspend students and staff whenever they challenge his leadership and management decisions.
The students accuse Nawangwe of gagging intellectual debate at the university. Siperia Mollie, a student of Psychology said they decided to present a cake to show solidarity with Kamunyu and other suspended staff.
"Nawangwe's suspensions are more or less like a piece cake. You can eat as much cake as you want, but you will still desire for food. All those suspended should not lose hope, Nawangwe's suspension is just a piece of cake." Siperia said.
Danson Twesigomwe, the Makerere students guild clerk accused the university management of suppressing free speech by suspending individuals with dissenting voices.
"He has terrorized the development of ideas and free expression in Makerere. [Now] we're launching these caps. As you see, they only have on Crested Crane where they should be two on our Makerere logo. It is a sign that Nawangwe has suspended almost every one to the extent of suspending even a bird." said Twesigomwe.
"The cap also includes a message; "where is my suspension" because it looks like Nawangwe is going to suspend everyone. We must put an end to this kind of terrorism because a university is a market of ideas. It cannot exist with all the people thinking the same, without intellectual discourse where when you say something you're suspended."
Kamunyu asked the students to remain calm in whatever decisions they take and bring strikes to an end. Nawangwe accuses Kamunyu of inciting staff and indiscipline.
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