Makerere University School of Law lecturer, Prof. Ben Twinomugisha has vowed not teach all day in protest of military raid of Students halls of residence, saying that some female students were raped and molested by the police and military deployed there to bring down the on-going demonstration by students as they oppose the 15 percent fees increment.
I will not step at Makerere today. I must rebel individually in protest against the vulgar, indespicable, horrendous mistreatment of students.
“Imagine your son or daughter in a room. Military thugs forcefully open the door, pull him or her out amidst beatings. Your daughter being raped, molested or assaulted! Ladies and gentlemen, this militarization of all institutions, including the Ivory Tower, the citadel of higher learning, must be condemned by all people of good conscience,” he posted on social media
He said what happened in Lumumba Hall was reminiscent of Amin soldiers’ brutal treatment of students and lecturers. “Anyone pretending that the situation is normal is like the proverbial ostrich hiding his or her head under the sand.”
“Thus, I have decided, as a matter of conscience, to stay away from the ‘torture chambers’ of Makerere University today. My heart, body and soul are bleeding. I have no mental health to teach,” he said.
The security operatives have been blamed by the highhanded in try to cool down the demonstration that was initially peaceful as it started early this week. Several students are said to be in various clinics around Kampala lying unconscious.
Journalists who have been covering the demo have not been spared from the wrath of the police, with some being teargassed and their tools taken.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (Lop) Betty Aol Ocan yesterday castigated the university’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe for exhibiting dictatorial tendencies while running the institution.
“The iron hand with which the Management of Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe is handling the matter is worrying for an academic institution of the magnitude of Makerere University,” she said.
Meanwhile the government spokesperson said that any soldier or policeman that might have handled students brutally outside the guidelines of their commanders must be handled as individuals.
