Kampala — STUDENTS of the Uganda Technical College, Kichwamba in Kabarole have gone on strike to protest against an order that government-sponsored students pay a functional fee of sh378,000.

The students said they were not supposed to pay extra fees because the Government meets all their expenses.

They said the functional fee has forced some students to abandon their studies because they cannot pay the money.

The students have vowed to boycott classes until the Ministry of Education looks into the matter.

The principal, Joram Adutu, said the functional fee was intended to help the college meet the extra costs.

He said the Government only caters for the tuition of the students and teachers' salaries.

Adutu said the Government introduced new courses last year, but did not give the college money for the lecturers. He added that he would convene a meeting next week to discuss the matter.