By Milton Olupot
and Catherine Bekunda

MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday condemned the killing of the Kenyan students and called for stricter control of guns, especially those in the hands of private security firms.

The MPs were responding to a brief statement to the House by the State Minister for Internal Affairs, Matia Kasaija, on the incident.

Kasaija said there was commotion during the guild presidential campaigns and when the security guard from Snow White, identified as Richard Hafasha, went to intervene, a bullet went off, killing two students and critically injuring a third now in Mulago.

“This was yet another unfortunate and sad incident at Makerere University. The Government conveys with great sorrow condolences to the bereaved families. We assure the public that investigations have been initiated and the Government will do everything possible to ensure that justice prevails,” he said.

The MPs were, however, skeptical, saying many investigations were conducted in the past but no reports have been made public.

“We are tired of these investigations without any results. Tell the Cabinet that the Government is responsible for compensating people who die in such circumstances,” said Hussein Kyanjo (NEEMA).

Kasaija dismissed this, arguing that the culprit was not an agent of the Government.

Speaker Edward Ssekandi told the House that before any compensation could be paid, there was need for investigation to ascertain where the liability lies.

Theodore Ssekikubo (NRM) said the incident raised the issue of security in the mushrooming hostels. Wilfred Niwagaba (NRM) regretted what he called the privatisation of security in the country.

He said the Government seemed to be relegating its responsibility of protecting people to private security agencies whom he said lack training.

Alice Alaso (FDC) called on the Government to ensure that public universities clean up guild elections to avoid such incidents.

Abdu Katuntu (FDC) said there are too many guns in the hands of untrained and unauthorised people. “There are too many armed people; this is not security but insecurity,” he said.

Emmanuel Dombo said such incidents dent the image of the country and make it difficult to market it as a tourist destination.

State ministers Ephraim Kamuntu and Rukutana Mwesigwa cautioned the legislators against politicising death.
Rukutana said the ministry had advised Makerere to put off the campaigns until the dust settles.