By Francis Kagolo
& Brenda Asiimwe
SHARON Nyangoma, an eyewitness, said John Teira’s supporters were in the hostel campaigning when Ignatius Nyongesa arrived at 10:00pm.
Nyongesa, from the rival camp of John Kamau, also wanted to campaign for his candidate at the same time. When Teira’s group overpowered him, he got a bench and attempted to hit the rivals’ car.
Brian Amugo, Nyongesa’s friend, tried to grab the bench from him, sparking a scuffle. It was at this time that the security guard shot Nyongesa and the bullet went through him to hit Amugo and Magezi who were behind him.
“Nyongesa was a social and responsible boy. So, when he began campaigning for Kamau, I knew that he meant no harm. But the next minute, he was falling down. That is when I got to know that the bullet had gone through him,†she recounted.
Michael Omusebe, also resident at the hostel, said Teira’s team was at the hostel earlier before Kamau’s supporters.
At around 10:00pm, Nyongesa came shouting Kamau’s praises. Nyongesa was drunk.
He ordered Teira to get out. He started hitting their car. When they refused to move, he picked a bench and tried to hit Teira. When Teira’s supporters tried to remove the bench from him, he resisted. Then the security guard fired. Nyongesa did not feel the bullet. He didn’t even shout; he just fell down instantly.
Magezi ran upstairs shouting that the security guard had shot him. He also fell down moments after returning in the compound.
Jane Namuddu, a second- year student of social sciences, and two others who had just returned from lectures, concurred with Omusebe as he narrated the incident.
But they also noted that residents at the hostel had over the last three weeks become riotous due to poor conditions including lack of clean water and power surges.
Besides, they claimed that the hostel owner had paid a deaf ear to their numerous phone calls to work on their grievances.
“So, when Teira and Kamau’s supporters fought, students shouted at the top of their voices and the security guard just shot irrationally,†explained Namuddu.