The University of Namibia has said it upholds its position regarding political activities on its
campuses, including the main campus in the capital.

In April 2024, the university issued a directive prohibiting all political activities on its campuses nationwide.

This decision faced widespread criticism, as analysts and political parties accused the national university of suppressing freedom of political association.

On Monday, the police were called to the Unam main campus to restore order after a group of youths from the Landless People’s Movement (LPM) gathered at the university’s main gate to express their frustration.

They were particularly angry when it emerged that a student society affiliated with the Swapo Party Youth League was permitted to conduct political activities, despite the ban.

During the fray on Monday, LPM member and activist Michael Amushelelo was arrested for alleged damage to property. However, he was later released.

Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho on Tuesday the commotion happened at the time the university management was scheduled to engage student societies and clubs with political affiliations.

“However, non-student members of the Landless People’s Movement political party attempted to join the engagement, and conduct political activities on campus without authorisation.

“The university denied access to these non-student members, leading to a temporary disruption of campus entry. Following discussions between university management and LPM leaders, in the presence of the Namibian Police, the situation was resolved amicably, and normal access to the campus was restored,” Namesho said in a statement.

However, LPM youth command spokesperson William Minnie has accused Unam of favouring the ruling party.

“It is clear that only one political party is above the law at Unam, and it’s the same corrupt crew that has been suffocating this country for decades,” Minnie said in a statement on Monday.

The youth wing of the Popular Democratic Movement charged the Unam main campus as “the political playground by the Swapo Youth League and their affiliates”.

“This is a flagrant violation of the university’s instructions, which clearly prohibits political party activities on campus. Yet, Unam has clearly turned a blind eye, selectively enforcing this ban in favour of Swapo, while silencing other political groups,” said Inajovandu Katjepunda, spokesperson of the PDM Youth League.

-Nampa