Students revolt against UDC go’vt

Johannes Kambai | Friday April 3, 2026 11:49

Led by different student leaders of multiple affiliated political parties, including Neville Sechele, who was handcuffed and later released, the students demanded an end to April fare increases and the promised P2,500 living allowance.

Following the mounting pressure from the protest, the government adopted the proposed fares of December 2025 levels, and the allowance rose from P1,900 to P2,200.

Students, however, remain skeptical if the money will reach their pockets as the decision was announced haphazardly.

Tertiary students across the country have turned their backs on the UDC administration, accusing the government of abandoning the very youth that swept it into power with a wave of broken promises and punishing new costs.

Addressing the media following the demonstration, University of Botswana Student Representative Council secretary-general, Obonye Mogapi, made clear the depth of their anger.

“We put all political parties aside and decided to come together and have our voices heard,” he said.

“We’ve tried multiple times. Any sort of action, any sort of proposal or letters we gave to the minister seem to be a futile action with empty promises. The government told us there is no money, but to our surprise, they increased the transport fares and expect us to just go along with it. Where are we going to get the money?” Mogapi asked.

He stressed the total lack of relief. “There is no measure to help cushion the students, and we are here because of that. We are here because we want solutions. So that is our expectation today: we should be heard.”

Political Science and Public Administration student, Sechele, was singled out from the magnitude of protesting students and handcuffed by police, only to be released moments later. He captured the collective pain.

“We have gathered here in solidarity to show our desperation and our frustration to the government. It has always been exacerbated by continued promises and the fact that some developments by the government are given priority over the welfare of students. “The government is fully mandated and obliged to take care of the welfare of students. They must take care of the welfare of students,” he said.

Sechele slammed the approved increased prices. “Taxi at 14, Combi at 13 per trip. The government will provide 1.5 and 1.9 for on-campus and for off campus, this is the price we are talking about. The government is responsible for this,” he added.

He also reminded the administration that the youth formed a massive voting bloc.

“It is not a party thing... We have decided to gather together as a corporate persona and send a strong message to the government. Today, we demand attention, specifically to Prince Maele. We are tired now,” he emphasised.

Tertiary students from various institutions, not just one university, stood united in the streets, marching under heavy police watch to confront the administration directly. Their core demand: immediately suspend the steep April 1 hikes in commuter fares, fuel, and electricity, and finally honour the long-promised P2,500 living allowance increase. With stagnant allowances and rising living costs crushing their budgets, students say they can no longer absorb these shocks.

In a swift response to the pressure, the Ministry of Transport backtracked on the controversial hikes.

Commuter fares have now reverted to December 2025 levels: shared taxi at P10.00 per passenger, combi at P9.00, with long-distance rates adjusted accordingly. Minister Noah Salakae cited ongoing consultations as the reason for the U-turn.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education announced an increase in the tertiary living allowance from P1,900 to P2,200.

While students welcome any movement, many are already asking the street-wise question: “Will this money actually land in our pockets, or is it just another sweet promise that vanishes before we see it?”

The protest sends a powerful early warning to the President and the UDC government. The same young people who delivered victory are now watching closely.

Empty promises and prioritising other projects over student welfare risk turning strong support into deep resentment. The message from the streets to the Office of the President was loud and clear: fulfil your commitments or face growing youth revolt.