Violence Erupts at Nganwa High School, 7 Students Detained

Territorial police in Greater Bushenyi and Sheema, Uganda, have arrested seven students from Nganwa High School in Kabwohe. The arrest follows an incident on October 9, 2023, at approximately 10 PM when a tradition at the school turned violent. In this tradition, senior students (S.4) are typically playfully “bid farewell” with light physical contact by students from other classes. However, this time, the S.4 candidates organized themselves and initiated attacks on students from other classes, leading to serious clashes within the school.

Police from Sheema intervened to restore order at the school, identifying and apprehending the seven students who were the ringleaders. Those arrested are as follows:

Several students were injured during the clashes and were rushed to Sheema hospital for treatment, including Aruho Benon, a 19-year-old S.4 student, and Mustafa, an S.5 student.

In a separate incident, police in Aswa West and Gulu West reported that four students from Gulu West Division attacked a 29-year-old resident, Rubangakene Samuel, on October 10, 2023, at approximately 5:40 AM. The victim was assaulted to death over a romantic matter. The suspects had been returning from a disco hall when the incident occurred. The deceased’s body was found between Gulu Army SS and St. Jude Orphanage Primary School. The four suspects involved in the assault are:

The police spokesperson, SCP Enanga Fred, strongly condemns these acts of violence by students and urges school administrators to remind students of the importance of resisting peer pressure and acting responsibly.

SCP Enanga Fred

Police Spokesperson, October 12, 2023