The Minister of Education, Janet Kataha Museveni has decried the increasing vice of sexual harassment of students by the lecturers and administrators in higher institutions of learning in the country.
Mrs Museveni said that the vice of sex for marks that is eating up the higher institutions of learning should stop saying it is unacceptable.
She also encouraged students to always fight for their rights by not allowing to be exploited by the lecturers that promise them free marks.
“Sexual harassment, sex for marks or marks for sex in universities is absolutely unacceptable. Students also need to avoid money in return for sex and they should know what took them to school,” she said.
The First lady said this on Friday while speaking as the chief guest at Kabale University. She was presiding over the university open day that was held at Kikungiri hill in Kabale municipality.
The Minister also spoke against the trend of students’ strikes that have become endemic in the country as a means to get attention from the university administrators. She said that it is better for students to resolve their challenges through dialogue and peaceful means.
She further noted that if the country is to achieve development, it has to fight three hindrances of development which are poverty, ignorance and disease.
“Uganda has been moving on a very slow pace despite it being so blessed with everything like fertile soil and beautiful climate. We look to you the young people that are in higher institutions of learning to transform the country,” she added.
David Bahati, the State Minister of Finance and Planning said that government is supporting innovations and in the next financial year budget, Shs 35 billion has bee earmarked for innovations.
Prof .George Mondo Kagonyera, the Kabale University chancellor warned students against engaging in strikes but rather know what brought them in school saying that strikes are for those with little brains.
“The country will not have good leaders in future when the ones that are aspiring to be are engaging in violence. Work hard to seek knowledge so as to be responsible citizens,” said Kagonyera.
