Makerere University students began reporting back for studies yesterday, three weeks after their lecturers went on strike over pay rise. Photo by Ismail Kezaala                

After three weeks of a forced holiday, Makerere University students started reporting to campus yesterday amidst joy and speculation about how the semester will be run.
“I am grateful we are back but I am scared lecturers might go on strike towards exams if the agreement is not adhered to which can bring chaos within campus,” Shijinga Inviolata, a Journalism and Communications student and a resident of Complex Hall, told Daily Monitor.
While Petra Nalutaaya a Social Sciences student, said: “It’s a shame that the university closed for this long. Being a state university, we expected better but all the same I am excited we are getting back, I was tired of the abrupt holiday
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venasius Baryamureeba was quoted in Sunday Vision yesterday as saying students should brace themselves for an extended semester of up to January 14 from the initial December 17 and a short holiday of two weeks instead of the usual one month.
Prof. Baryamureeba also said the exam period will be shortened due to limited lecture rooms which he said could be solved by using facilities of schools which where students have gone on holiday.
The institution’s spokesperson, Ms Rita Namisango, assured students that all units of courses will be covered this semester. However, she said the semester will be extended after the Senate meet.
“All the lost time will be compensated. But the duration of extension will be determined by the Senate when they sit next week,” Ms Namisango said during a telephone interview yesterday
The re-opening of university was announced on Friday after lecturers and support staff called off their strike.
editorial@ug.nationmedia