Makerere student makes less toxic teargas

Samuel Mugarura, a third year student of Chemistry and Botany at Makerere University demonstrating to journalists how his teargas works in Kajjansi in Wakiso District. Photo by Alex Esagala

What you need to know:

  • The University Hall resident also said he is working on smoke bombs but lacks facilitation and therefore called upon the government to financially support his projects.
  • The university is yet to approve Mugarura's innovation.

Samuel Mugarura, a third year student of Chemistry and Botany at Makerere University, has left his colleagues with eyebrows raised when he unveiled his new innovation of tear gas.
Mugarura demonstrated his innovation in Kajjansi on Sunday morning.

During the demonstration, Mugarura said his IED tear gas is less toxic compared to those being used today by the police.

Samuel Mugarura


He added that the tear gas is made up of ingredients that are at everyone's disposal, yet it's effective.
“This teargas is made up of sugar, salt and food colour, among others, that can do not cause health complications like the one being used by the police today,” he explained.
The University Hall resident also says he can make smoke bombs but lacks facilitation and therefore called upon the government to financially support his projects.

A security officer prepares to fire a tear gas canister after residents at protestors in Jinja recently. File photo

“My dream is to make Uganda a nuclear country just like other countries like South Korea, Russia, among others. So, its high time Ugandans also take a lead in Africa as a nuclear country by supporting my nuclear project,” he pleaded to government.
If approved by the university, Mugarura's project will be among the major innovations at Makerere, including the Kiira EV and Kayoola Bus, all electronic cars that were made by students from the College of Engineering, Art, Design and Technology (Cedat).
The university is yet to approve Mugarura's innovation.