Two Kenyan students shot dead in Uganda

Two Kenyan students were shot dead by a security guard at Makerere University in Kampala, sparking protests on Tuesday.

Brian Amuoga, a first year Bachelor of Law student, and Ignatius Nyongesa, a third year Commerce student, were killed after a scuffle between supporters of two rival guild presidential candidates at God Is Able Hostel in Kikoni, a suburb of Makerere.

A third student, Amon Mugezi, who is Ugandan, was in a critical condition with injuries in the neck. He is fighting for his life at Mulago Hospital.

Students wearing red gowns and brandishing tree branches gathered at the university’s main building and the campus freedom square to protest at the killings.

The shooting took place at around 10pm on Monday after supporters of aspiring guild presidents John Teira and Kamau Gikuru met at the hostel while on the campaign trail.

A Kenyan student at the institution who witnessed the incident, Erastus Muhia, said the two Kenyans died from the same bullet. The Ugandan student was also hit by the same bullet, he added.

Muhia said it all began when commotion broke out between the Kenyan camp that was backing their compatriot Kamau Gikuru for the students leader position and their Ugandan opponents.

He said the two groups had agreed to hold peaceful campaigns when suddenly a security guard emerged and aimed his rifle at Amuoga, who died instantly.

“Nyongesa was rushed to Mulago Hospital, where he died as doctors were battling to save his life,” he said.

It was alleged that Amuoga, a supporter of Gikuru, attempted to damage Teira’s car. He was shot as he resisted efforts to restrain him. Nyongesa, who was trying to restrain him, was also shot.

The security guard has gone into hiding. But unconfirmed reports said he has been arrested and was detained at Jinja Road police station.

Students were reported to have marched to Bwaise roundabout, where they grabbed a coffin and headed to Mulago Hospital. However, they were dispersed by police.

Second coffin

Undaunted, the students were said to have regrouped and taken a second coffin. They marched through the campus, then along Sir Apollo Kagwa Road to God Is Able Hostel, where they smashed windows.

Dennis Pato, Grace Ruto, and Enap Atim, all guild presidential hopefuls, were among the demonstrators.

“We cannot stand by as police harass our colleagues. We shall demonstrate until something is done,” said Pato.

Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the hostel night guard should not have shot the students. She added that the students were free to demonstrate as a show of solidarity with their fallen colleagues.

Makerere University vice-chancellor Baria Mureva addressed the angry students in a bid to reach an amicable solution to the standoff but they heckled and walked out on him.

Kenya’s Grace Ruto is the only female candidate.

Reported by Isaac Khisa, Andre Pachuto and Erick Ngobilo