Police in Kisoro battles rioting students

By Attractor Kamahoro

Police in Kisoro on Thursday evening fired in the air for over 30 minutes to disperse a group of students from Kabindi SS who after losing a football match to Muhabura Shine SS in the ongoing district competitions, protested by fighting their rivals. 

Police pleaded with the students before opening gun fire, prompting them to hurl volcanic stones in exchange.

At least two students were critically injured and admitted to Kisoro hospital. Others sustained minor injuries. 

Kabindi is said to have over 1200 students while Muhabura Shine has slightly more.

All students and their teachers were present to morale boost their teams.

Kabindi SS deputy head teacher, Alex Matata said those who caused any damage would be charged in court as individuals.

 "The school is not accountable for their actions; we are here for football", he said adding that it was unfortunate fighting had become part of sports.

Crops around the football pitch were destroyed, vendors and buyers in the weekly Thursday market of Rusiza were advised to quit immediately.

Some crowded roads were also cut off for hours and shops were closed.

The District Police Commander (DPC), Edgar Akankwasa said there no arrests , but police would stay in action for days.

In 2013, school football competitions in the district were suspended for two years, following many years of bloody clashes among students.

In the same year, some students from different schools camped in the hills for weeks as they hid from police, prompting head teachers to accuse police of harassment which they said disrupted other school programs.

This week's competitions were the first in two years.