TODAY IN HISTORY: 35 students expelled at Makerere

Oct 24, 2019

The riot was triggered by Northcote hall after it was closed when it's resident students refused to name colleagues who adulterated food for fellow students with broken glass.

Thirty-five students including the Guild President Remmy Galogitho were expelled and over thirty others arrested after a violent strike at Makerere University.

The Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the students who pelted them with stones and bottles.

The students smashed vehicle window screens in clashes in which some Policemen and students were injured.

The riot was triggered by Northcote hall after it was closed when its resident students refused to name colleagues who adulterated food for fellow students with broken glass.

Northcote Hall, named after Sir Geoffrey Northcote, a former Chairman of the University Council (July 1945-1948), was completed in 1951 and opened in 1952.

In August 1996, all 270 continuing students were forced into non-residence after an incidence during the Afrostone celebrations on 4th May 1996.

The Hall was then referred to as Hall "X" until 12th August 1997 when it was renamed Nsibirwa Hall after Martin Luther Nsibirwa, a former Katikiro of Buganda, who was key in providing land for the expansion of Makerere College than.

Northcote Hall students were referred to as "Spirits". The hall had an anthem, a culture of Generals, a drum (known as Stereo) and a tractor (state car). It was the only hall at that time known to have the aforementioned cultural ideology and symbols.

Exactly 23 years later, security is having running battles with Makerere University students after they staged a strike over what they termed as an unfair hike in the tuition.

Soldiers arrest students who were suspected to be involved in the strike. Pictures by Karim Ssozi