President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the immediate closure of Makerere University citing concerns over the safety of persons and property.

“I Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda has this 1st day of November 2016, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution and Section 26(2) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 as amended, decided to close Makerere University with immediate effect,” reads a statement he issued on Tuesday.

Mr Museveni’s directive followed hours of turbulence at Uganda’s oldest university. On Tuesday, the students engaged police in running battles around the campus and neighbouring areas. Police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse rowdy students who fought back with stones, 50 students were arrested in the process.

The students went on strike demanding that lecturers who had earlier gone on strike demanding for nine months accrued arrears to resume teaching as they pursued their demands. The lecturers have  also been on strike since October 26 demanding payment of their eight-month salary incentive arrears amounting to Shs 28bn.

Yesterday Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) general assembly unanimously voted to maintain the on-going strike until the university clears their incentives. Makerere says they only have about Shs 4bn which belongs to their development partners and for research.