Makerere Students Riot

Feb 02, 2001

A MAKERERE University student was yesterday shot dead by unknown gunmen, sparking off riots and a running battle with the Police for over eight hours.

A MAKERERE University student was yesterday shot dead by unknown gunmen, sparking off riots and a running battle with the Police for over eight hours. Alex Adigaremo, 20, a first year Education student, died instantly after the assailants shot him through the ribs at about 5:30am yesterday. The Police are yet to establish the motive of the murder. The murder, the second in two months, shocked the student community, which reacted with violent protests. Adigaremo's body, which lay in a pool of blood when The New Vision arrived at the scene, was taken to the city mortuary, pending a post-mortem examination. His assailants also kidnapped two female students from Mary Stuart Hall. The two students coming from Ange Noir discotheque, arrived at the scene shortly after the murder. They were released by the gunmen. The Regional Police Commander, Benjamin Namanya, the Wandegeya DPC, Samuel Ekelot and the serious crime chief at the CID headquarters, Godfrey Bangirana, arrived at the scene 30 minutes after the murder. The deceased's father, Mr. Lawrence Dawa, accompanied by his eldest son, Peter Mawa, broke down as reporters talked to him. "He had just finished school at Katikamu and was a brilliant student. I don't know what to do now," Dawa said. Mawa said he had last seen his brother the previous night with his (Adiga's) girlfriend. At least four students, three policemen and a New Vision photojournalist were injured during the battle which lasted over six hours. The Police arrested 15 other students in connection with the violence but later released them in a gentleman's agreement to stop the students from rioting further. Also arrested were two security men in army uniform who opened fire on the students. Those injured were identified as Mariam Kiyingi, chairperson of CCE Hall and Grace Nsemereire, a third year Food Science student. Others are Umar Wanume and Muhamad Mubiru who was shot in the chest with a rubber bullet. The Makerere Guild President, Asumani Basalirwa, yesterday said the university should be declared a protected camp, with armed security guards. In a 24-hour ultimatum issued last evening, Basalirwa said the university should provide a full-time patrol vehicle and light up dark corners on the campus. "I have tried my best but the university administration seems to be reluctant. This is disappointing. There comes a time when you feel enough is enough," Basalirwa said. The angry students, chanting, "We want security," marched from the University, smashing windows at the faculties of Fine Art and Law, the School of Education and the Main Building. They also dispersed students who were sitting their exams and forced out those reading in the Main Library before marching along Kampala streets chanting slogans. The students marched to Bwaise, pulling down Museveni's campaign posters and hitting government vehicles with sticks and stones. They proceeded to the city mortuary at Mulago, to demand for the body of the deceased in preparation for the city demonstration. They also destroyed property and smashed glass windows at the Medical School, where they interrupted exams. Later, they grabbed a coffin from a roadside carpentry shop in Wandegeya and proceeded to Parliament, where they vandalised Bugabula MP, Salaamu Musumba's Cross Country vehicle. After failing to find the Speaker, Francis Ayume, at the Parliamentary buildings, the students went to the Ministry of Education headquarters, where they also vandalised a government Landrover and a Police pickup truck. The Police, using tear gas canisters and rubber bullets, dispersed the students from the ministry premises and confiscated the empty coffin. The battle field was transferred to the Wandegeya junction, where the students blocked traffic and lit bonfires on Makerere Hill Road. The Police fired tear gas at them, driving the students in disarray back to the university campus. More anti-riot personnel were also sent in. A stone-throwing brawl ensued, forcing the Police to fire tear gas canisters directly at students holed in CCE hall. Pandemonium broke out in the hall when one of the canisters landed on a mattress and lit up rooms 61 and 62, burning the property inside. The fire was put out by the fire brigade. The rowdy students continued engaging the Police in a battle by pelting stones at them with catapults. By press time, the students had refused to go back to their halls of residence, despite the ceasefire agreement with the Police. The Police deputy spokesman, Eric Naigambi, said the riot disrupted preliminary investigations. He, however, said they were happy with Rashid Kasaato, Campus Affairs minister, Balaam Ateenyi Barugahara and Sebuufu Muhamad who negotiated peace with the Police. Ends

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