Prolonged Strike Over Lay Wages in UZ
Throughout June 2025, lecturers at the University of Zimbabwe continued a prolonged strike over low wages and poor working conditions, with the action reaching 56 days by mid-month. Parliamentarians urged immediate intervention as academic activities — including lectures, dissertation reviews, and exams — remained suspended. The university reportedly withheld pay from striking staff and continued […]
UZ Students Arrested for Protesting Lecturers’ Strike, Union Slams Exploitative Hiring Tactics
On May 12, 2025, 6 students from the University of Zimbabwe (UZ)—Narshon Kohlo (UZ ZINASU chairperson), Tafadzwe Katsande, Blessing Mtisi, Tawananyashe Hove, Nodesha Maingehama, and Tariro Mtukura—were arrested following a protest on campus. The demonstration was organized in response to the university administration’s failure to resolve a month-long lecturers’ strike. Faculty had ceased teaching in […]
GZU Students Oppose Fee Hike Amid Service Failures
In January 2025, Great Zimbabwe University proposed a significant tuition increase for the upcoming semester, subject to approval by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. The proposal follows a previous adjustment to the registration threshold, which was raised from 50% to 75% and then reduced to 60% after student protests. Students have expressed concern […]
Student and Staff Suspensions Stir Turmoil in Zimbabwean Universities
In late February 2025, Midlands State University (MSU) suspended 5 students for allegedly conducting unauthorized student union activities linked to the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU). ZINASU and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) condemned the suspensions as unconstitutional and filed an urgent court challenge. On March 12, Takunda Mhuka was formally expelled following […]
Student Protests Erupt Across South Africa Over Delayed Disbursements
On February 17, 2025, widespread student protests erupted across South African universities, notably at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Stellenbosch University, and Wits University. The protests were driven by unresolved issues including financial exclusions, delayed disbursements from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), and severe accommodation shortages. At UCT, students stormed the administration […]
Prolonged Acting Appointments Raise Governance Concerns in Makerere University
Makerere University has come under scrutiny due to widespread use of acting appointments in senior leadership roles. Seven top positions at the university, including those at the School of Law and central administration (such as Deputy Vice Chancellors and college principals), are filled by individuals serving in an acting capacity. This situation has persisted for […]
Governance Crisis at Makerere: Corruption Allegations and Threats to Academic Freedom
On March 27, 2025, Uganda’s Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Rose Lilly Akello, directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate corruption allegations at Makerere University. The complaints, raised by academic staff associations and the Global Anti-Corruption Initiative, include concerns over the promotion of Vice-Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe, who is accused of advancing to full […]
Kenyan Students Stage Protests After Prolonged Staff Strike
In March 2025, students at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) staged protests in response to a prolonged staff strike that led to the indefinite closure of the University. The strike, organized by academic and non-academic staff, was driven by unresolved grievances over salaries, promotions, and working conditions. The disruption significantly impacted academic activities, leaving […]
Financial Crisis at TUK: Pension Scandal and Government Intervention
In March 2025, the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) faced a severe financial crisis, with a pension fund deficit of KSh4.3 billion and total debts amounting to KSh12.9 billion. The collapse of the Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (SRBS) in 2017, which lost KSh5.3 billion, left many retirees without their benefits. The government initiated a Strategic […]