By Francis Kagolo  
 
Lectures yesterday resumed at Makerere University, ending a two-day demonstration that followed the shooting to death of two Kenyan students by a security guard.

Ignatius Nyongesa, 24, and Brian Amuoga, 21, died when a private security guard shot them during a scuffle at God is Able Hostel, outside the university’s main campus in Makerere-Kikoni. Most students have since vacated the hostel.
The shooting followed a disagreement between supporters of Kenyan guild presidential candidate John Kamau and those of the NRM candidate, John Teira.

Students later rioted, destroying property at the university.
But by yesterday morning, calm had returned with university administrative and academic offices open.

John Ekudu, the dean of students, met with the nine guild presidential contestants and the university electoral commission leaders.

They resolved to hold the last joint rally on Monday next week. Elections will then be held the following day, according to the university spokesperson, Ritah Namisango.

However, a cloud of grief still hung around the faculty of law where Amuoga was a first-year student and that of economics and management where Nyongesa was in his third year.

The Kenyan government has protested the shooting.

“There is clear indication this was a criminal act involving the reckless use of a gun by a watchman,” the media quoted Kenya’s foreign affairs minister, Moses Wetang’ula, as saying.
“If the evidence points to collusion, we will deal with the matter,” he added.

A source at the Kenyan High Commission said Kenya and Uganda were discussing the matter.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ugandan Government assured Kenyan students of a peaceful stay in the country.

“The Ugandan Government condemns in the strongest terms the tragic incident that took place on Monday night at God is Able Hostel,” read the statement.

According to the statement, the Government will ‘deal with the security guard according to the law’.

The statement was released after the Ugandan Government, members of the bereaved families, Makerere University and the Kenyan embassy, transported the bodies of the two students to their homes in Kenya. Burials are slated for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Amon Mugezi, the Ugandan student who was injured in the shooting, was by yesterday still in Mulago’s intensive care unit. Doctors declined to reveal his status.