Students at Uganda's main university have called off their strike after the country's president suspended plans to increase fees to resit their exams, according to press reports.
Violence flared up at Makerere University last Friday as students protested at the proposed 20-fold increase in fees, from Shs 6,000 (about £1.72) to Shs 120,000 (£34.40). One student died and more than half a dozen were injured as protesters clashed with riot police, who reportedly used plastic bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds. Thirteen students have reportedly been arrested.
The violence subsided over night, but continued the next day. One student told EducationGuardian.co.uk that he was preparing for a presentation at the state-owned university on Saturday when rioting resumed. He was closed inside the university with some lecturers and administrators for two hours before it was safe for them to leave.
According to reports in the Ugandan newspaper The Monitor, president Yoweri Museveni told students on Tuesday that the fee rise had been put on hold, following a closed meeting with administrators.
"When I met the combined team of the administration, including the chancellor, Professor Apolo Nsibambi, Professor Livingstone Luboobi, university council officials and the students guild on Sunday, we had a protracted discussion on this retake fee and I can now tell you that the fee has been suspended," he said.
But he went on to warn students against any more strikes.
"I expect total peace now. I don't want to hear that there is more rioting. There's no need for rioting anywhere in the country because there are avenues for rational dialogue."
According to the New Vision newspaper, students have vowed to continue their protests until the retake fee is scrapped.
