Calm restored at Makerere University

Makerere

Lectures resumed Thursday at Makerere University after two days of riots that rocked the institution, when two students were shot dead on Monday night by a private security guard.

The spokesperson, Ms Rita Namisango, told Daily Monitor that classes resumed in the morning after a day of official mourning.

The university looked calm with no security deployment; a pale contrast with Tuesday and Wednesday when a mass of police officers battled angry students.

Violence erupted on Monday night when Brian Amwoga, a first year Law student and Ignatius Nyongesa Barasa, a third year Commerce student, were shot at a hostel in Kikoni, a university suburb, following an altercation between rival guild presidential camps.

The bodies of the Kenyan students were handed over to their parents on Wednesday at Mulago Hospital Mortuary by the Higher Education State Minister, Mr Mwesigwa Rukutana.

Mr Rukutana said: “We know how painful it is to lose such promising young people. They were definitely big assets to their families and the region. We shall make sure the culprit is brought to book.”

Ms Namisango said arrangements are underway to send some students and university administrators to attend the burial of the fallen students.

“We have not received communication from the parents on when the burial will take place but the university is making arrangements to send some students and officials,” she said.

Date for poll
Meanwhile, the guild elections that had been deferred following the violence will be held next Tuesday.

Ms Namisango told Daily Monitor that the day was reached at following a meeting between the dean of students, Mr John Ekudu and the candidates.

A final rally will be held on Monday at the Freedom Square before students vote a successor to Mr Robert Okware of the Democratic Party. There are nine contestants.