SPC shoots two rioting students
Feb 17, 2009
TWO students of Kaloke Christian High School in Nakaseke district were yesterday shot by a special Police constable (SPC), who was dispersing students after they had camped outside the headmaster’s office, protesting the poor conditions.
By Frederick Kiwanuka,
Eddie Ssejoba and Steven Candia
TWO students of Kaloke Christian High School in Nakaseke district were yesterday shot by a special Police constable (SPC), who was dispersing students after they had camped outside the headmaster’s office, protesting the poor conditions.
The head boy, William Byamugisha, who is in Senior Six, was shot three times. He sustained injuries on the leg, stomach and neck.
Daniel Twine, a Senior Four student, was shot in the arm.
Chaos erupted when the students attacked a parent who had taken his child to the school on a motorcycle.
The students wanted to use the motorcycle to take their colleagues to hospital. The two, who were in critical condition, were taken to Namayumba Health Centre in Wakiso district before being transferred to Mulago Hospital.
Witnesses said the SPC, Paul Bayiga, stormed the school in the morning and grabbed a gun from his colleague before confronting the students.
The students turned rowdy, prompting the panic-stricken SPC to shoot several times, the witness added.
Byamugisha then stepped forward and pleaded with the SPC to stop shooting. Bayiga then turned the gun on Byamugisha and shot him repeatedly injuring Twine in the process.
Bayiga, who is attached to Kalege Police post, later fled with the gun.
Just before the incident, the Police said two SPCs had been dispatched to the school after Jimmy Kayondo, a teacher, asked them to help quell the riot.
Upon arrival, the SPCs are said to have talked with the students, who pledged not to turn violent. The SPCs then retreated and took shelter under a tree, from where they watched the students.
As news filtered in about the incident, senior Police officers, headed by the community affairs boss, Asan Kasingye, went to the school and addressed the students.
They also held a meeting with the school and district leaders.
Kasingye told the students that the incident was not intentional and said those involved in the shooting would face the law.
He then pledged 10 footballs, given that one of the grievances of the students was lack of sports in the school.
The students also complained of poor meals and infrastructure in addition to accusing the headmaster, William Waneka, of absenteeism.
Eddie Ssejoba and Steven Candia
TWO students of Kaloke Christian High School in Nakaseke district were yesterday shot by a special Police constable (SPC), who was dispersing students after they had camped outside the headmaster’s office, protesting the poor conditions.
The head boy, William Byamugisha, who is in Senior Six, was shot three times. He sustained injuries on the leg, stomach and neck.
Daniel Twine, a Senior Four student, was shot in the arm.
Chaos erupted when the students attacked a parent who had taken his child to the school on a motorcycle.
The students wanted to use the motorcycle to take their colleagues to hospital. The two, who were in critical condition, were taken to Namayumba Health Centre in Wakiso district before being transferred to Mulago Hospital.
Witnesses said the SPC, Paul Bayiga, stormed the school in the morning and grabbed a gun from his colleague before confronting the students.
The students turned rowdy, prompting the panic-stricken SPC to shoot several times, the witness added.
Byamugisha then stepped forward and pleaded with the SPC to stop shooting. Bayiga then turned the gun on Byamugisha and shot him repeatedly injuring Twine in the process.
Bayiga, who is attached to Kalege Police post, later fled with the gun.
Just before the incident, the Police said two SPCs had been dispatched to the school after Jimmy Kayondo, a teacher, asked them to help quell the riot.
Upon arrival, the SPCs are said to have talked with the students, who pledged not to turn violent. The SPCs then retreated and took shelter under a tree, from where they watched the students.
As news filtered in about the incident, senior Police officers, headed by the community affairs boss, Asan Kasingye, went to the school and addressed the students.
They also held a meeting with the school and district leaders.
Kasingye told the students that the incident was not intentional and said those involved in the shooting would face the law.
He then pledged 10 footballs, given that one of the grievances of the students was lack of sports in the school.
The students also complained of poor meals and infrastructure in addition to accusing the headmaster, William Waneka, of absenteeism.