Student dies as police officers fire live bullets to quell strike

 

By RAJAB MUKOMBOZI

BUHWEJU- A Senior Four student of Nyakitoko Secondary School in Burere Sub-county, Buhweju District who was shot when police quelled a strike at the school, on Tuesday has died.

 Innocent Natuhangana, 18, died on Wednesday on the way to Mulago National Referral Hospital where medical workers at Kampala International Hospital in Bushenyi-Ishaka, had referred him.

Mr Felix Musimenta, 22, a senior six student who sustained a gunshot wound on the hand is being treated at a local clinic, according to the District Police Commander, Mr Boniface Kinyera.

“It’s regrettable that [much as] we are guided by the law on the use of fire arms, these officers turned unprofessional and shot at unarmed students. They will answer for their actions,” Mr Kinyera said.

He said the two cops who went to the school to restore order have been have been arrested.

The students went on rampage demanding the eviction of the headmaster, Mr Alex Tumuramye from his house.

School administrators rushed to the nearby Burere Police Post and sought the intervention of security officers.

 “The students wanted to evict the head teacher claiming that he is poor administrator. They were accusing him of feeding them poorly, dismissing teachers and harassing the deputy head teacher,” Mr Kinyera said.

The school security guard, Mr Naboth Kansiime, who is attached to Blue Water Security Services is also in police custody.

However, Mr Tumuramye denied knowledge of the students’ grievances.

Mr Tumuramye said he was away when the students attacked his residence but accused some administrators of inciting the students.

 “Preliminary investigations indicate that one of the staff members mobilised the students and was behind the move to evict me from the school,” Mr Tumuramye said.

The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Emmy Kateera ordered the closure of school as investigations continue.

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