By Moses Bikala

A total of nine people were admitted at Busolwe Hospital in critical condition after they were injured during a fight over land belonging to a school in Butaleja district.

The nine include teachers and students of Busabi Secondary School in Busabi sub-county, Butaleja who sustained deep cuts on their heads, hands and legs after they were allegedly attacked by a group of over 100 angry residents, who claimed that land occupied by the school belonged to them.

The group, armed with pangas and hoes attacked the school’s administration block, broke into the stores and later attacked students who were attending classes on Thursday.

Henry Wakooli, one of the students, said the group hit three of their teachers with sticks on the head after they attempted to calm them down.

A total of 12 cows belonging to the school were hacked to pieces and burnt. Over three acres of maize belonging to the school plus windows and desks were also destroyed.

The district Police commander, Fred Kidima, said one person identified as Jackson Hasere was arrested in connection with the attack.

He said Hasere is believed to have masterminded it.

The head teacher, Paul Mubiru, had earlier called a parents meeting to resolve the problem between a group of parents, who were allegedly claiming five acres of the school land but were shocked when they were attacked as the meeting went on.

Some of the injured are Patrick Ochieng, a senior three student; Julius Kitundi, a senior one student; Asuman Musiho a teacher plus Derick Mubala and Faridah Uthman, both students.