Kampala, Uganda —
A cloud of tension has engulfed Makerere University following a violent incident at Mitchell Hall, where enraged students reportedly attacked and burnt the belongings of two colleagues accused of engaging in homosexual acts.
The situation escalated quickly as students took matters into their own hands, prompting police intervention to quell the chaos. According to reports, officers fired warning shots to disperse the angry mob, preventing what could have become a deadly confrontation.
In response, the Makerere University administration issued an official statement through the Office of the Dean of Students, condemning the violence and warning of disciplinary action against those involved.
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable and has no place at Makerere University,”
stated Dr. Winifred Kabumbu, the Dean of Students, in the letter dated October 21, 2025.
“Every member of the University community deserves to live without fear of violence and harassment. The University has launched an investigation into the matter, and once concluded, strict disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible.”
The Dean urged students to “refrain from violence and harassment” and to report such incidents to the management for due process.
However, the university’s response has sparked mixed reactions both online and on campus. Many students and netizens criticized the statement for focusing solely on the violence while ignoring the alleged acts of homosexuality that triggered the chaos.
Earlier, a group of concerned students from Mitchell Hall had written to the Vice Chancellor, demanding clarification on Makerere University’s official stance regarding what they termed the “growing habit of male-to-male relationships” within student residences.
“We highly condemn anything or anyone who would like to associate as gay,” the letter read.
“We believe in God’s plan of man-to-woman relationships. As an institution of higher learning, Makerere should guide us on its position regarding this vice spreading silently across halls of residence.”
The students also accused police officers of using excessive force during the confrontation, alleging that “live bullets were fired at unarmed students” and questioning whether law enforcement’s role had shifted from protecting students to endangering them.
The letter concluded with several demands, including accountability for the police’s actions, protection from alleged offenders, and an official university statement clarifying its position on homosexuality and student safety.
As investigations continue, Makerere University finds itself at the center of a heated moral and legal debate — balancing the constitutional rights of all students with Uganda’s strict laws against same-sex relations, and the growing demand for accountability in maintaining safety and discipline on campus.
