Chaos erupted at Kyambogo University on Tuesday as students took to the streets to protest a controversial tuition surcharge imposed by the administration. What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly turned violent when police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse the crowd, leaving students and staff in panic. The protest, led by Guild President Akiso Benjamin, was sparked by a Shs 50,000 penalty fee for students who fail to register within the university’s six-week deadline.

The students argue that the surcharge unfairly targets those from low-income families, many of whom struggle to gather tuition fees on time. “We are not refusing to pay,” said one student during the protest. “We’re just asking for compassion and more time.” The frustration among the students is compounded by another university policy that bars those with unpaid fees from sitting for end-of-semester exams. Protesters called this rule “too harsh,” especially in a country where many families face financial hardships.

“How can you lock someone out of exams after they’ve attended classes all semester just because they couldn’t pay in time?” questioned one angry protester. The demonstration, which started as a march through the campus, quickly escalated when police arrived in full force. Eyewitnesses reported that officers from the Uganda Police Force’s Field Force Unit (FFU) fired teargas canisters and live bullets into the air, causing students to scatter in fear. Videos circulating on social media showed scenes of chaos, with students running for cover as police pursued them.

Guild President Akiso Benjamin condemned the police response as excessive and unnecessary. “We are ready to engage the university in discussions. Students deserve to be heard, not silenced with teargas,” he said after the clashes. He emphasized that the protest was not meant to disrupt learning but to call attention to policies that many students believe are unjust. By late morning, calm had returned to the campus, but the mood remained tense as students awaited a response from the university administration.

University officials had not issued an official statement by the time of reporting, but sources indicated that an emergency meeting might be called to address the students’ grievances. The protest has raised concerns about the growing financial pressures on university students in Uganda, where many rely on family support and part-time work to pay their fees. With the semester nearing its end, many students now fear they may be barred from taking their final exams, putting their academic progress at risk.

One final-year student expressed the frustration felt by many: “We want to study, we want to graduate, but we also want to be treated with dignity. This is our future we’re fighting for.” The protest has drawn attention to the broader issue of education affordability in Uganda, where tuition fees and additional charges often place a heavy burden on students and their families.

As the dust settles, questions remain about whether the university will reconsider its policies or if further protests will erupt. For now, the students of Kyambogo University are left waiting—hoping for a solution that allows them to continue their education without being pushed deeper into financial distress. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the role of police in handling student protests, with many calling for restraint and dialogue rather than force.

With tensions still high, the coming days will determine whether the university and its students can find common ground or if the standoff will continue. One thing is clear: the students of Kyambogo are determined to make their voices heard, and they are not backing down without a fight.