Balaam Barugahara regrets leading student strikes at Makerere

Nearly two and a half decades ago, when Barugahara was a Bachelor of Commerce student at the premier education institution, he says, he was part of the group that organized endless strikes over the management of the institution and the larger political affairs of the time.

Looking back, the minister recalled how he and other “misguided” students almost derailed the university’s operations through strikes.

A new era

He also contrasted his era with the current situation at the university where the rate of student demonstrations has significantly reduced.

“I want to congratulate Prof (Barnabas) Nawangwe for running the university without strikes,” he said.

“During our times, strikes were the order of the day.”

Balaam Barugahara and Dorcus Inzikuru unvelining the 2024 Mak Run pulse uganda

The Minister recalled that one time, he organized a strike against President Yoweri Museveni who was coming to visit the university.

“He’s my boss now, but the president once came here and we blocked him from making his speech. We shouted, “Twagala Obote nga ssente,” Balaam recounted.

“That is why I cannot hate anybody over their party affiliation because at a given time I was protesting against the president.

"Back then we were just misguided young people who thought opposing the government made us bigger as the government.”

Hon Barugahara made these remarks while launching the 4th edition of the annual Mak Run marathon.

The run will take place on August 18th and is intended to raise money to support students with disabilities at the campus.

Commenting about the reduced strikes, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof Nawangwe said it came through honest discussions with the students and their leaders.

“We asked the students if they want to be here for ten years, or if they want to focus on finishing their studies in three years and go do other things. That is how we ended strikes,” he said.

Makerere last had a major student strike over 5 years ago.