Kampala- A number of students at Makerere University are set to miss internship training because of lack of funds to facilitate their accommodation at their placements.
Early this year Makerere University administration abolished the Shs380,000 refund that it has been remitting to every student for their internship practice.
In a letter addressed to students by Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the university vice chancellor he noted that the University will no longer reimburse the students [with internship fee] as has been the case.”
Now students say they are facing financial challenges to secure accommodation at the places of internship, some adding that their parents cannot provide the required amount for their facilitation.
I had a placement at Ministry of East African Affairs, but I have missed that opportunity because I can’t accommodate myself for almost three months in Kampala,” Jimmy Mayega, a second year student of Information Technology said.
The University guild president, Mr Papa Salim Were, said the university made a selfish decision in scrapping the internship allowances meant to facilitate students’ accommodation.
“Many private students are facing the same problem after the university council made a selfish decision of scrapping the internship allowances meant to help students in such a time. We are going to push come next semester, this selfishness has to end,” the guild president said.
He however, asked students to try all possible means not to miss the internship.
According to Mr Augustine Tamale, the university bursar, the university is only responsible for government students and just a few private students.
“We are only responsible for government students of which their allowances are on their accounts and a few private students from journalism, law school, engineering and Medicine, ” Mr Tamale explained.
Tamale added that the eligible private students delayed to submit their details to financial office but the university is in the last stages of wiring their monies to their respective accounts.
The only eligible private students to receive the internship allowances are those with courses beyond three layers but Tamale said this is the last time any private student will receive allowances from the University.
“By the new policy, this is the last time. Starting next academic year, no private student(s) will receive any allowances from the university “. Mr Tamale added.
He cautioned students to embrace the saving culture to help them in difficult times like this one.
