Since Sunday, Samuel Mugarura a.k.a Falcao has topped every news headline after making the most dangerous invention of smoke bombs, tear gas and explosives. To the public dismay however, his faculty of origin at MAK and the Police have stopped at nothing but to discourage, discredit and caution his research. Our writer shared a moment with him at his asylum (Guild Offices);
So who exactly is this scientist called Samuel Mugarura?
I am a selfless third year Botanical student majoring in plant science. All my life, I always like trying out new things and for that, I entirely do lab work researching on herbal medicine, treating diseases however i haven’t got what I want from such.
Well, tell us about your invention of tear gas, smoke bombs and explosives
As you already know, I developed the concept after picking up a tear gas canister during a strike in my 1st year 2014 from where realised this is day-to-day chemistry that even an S.5 student can do.
When and from where did give life to this idea?
After taking a closer look at this imported tear gas and its ingredients, I became inquisitive about if a bomb can be made by a Ugandan. I immediately started researching about how to make one with my knowledge as a chemistry student.
What are the ingredients you used and from where did you buy them?
The ingredients include sugar, potassium chlorate, Vinegar, hydro carbonate, petrol, gun powder, sucrose. These ingredients can be found anywhere lab equipments are sold so it wasn’t that hard.
Who was funding the research and how much did you spend?
I spent shs400,000 for each of the 8 times I experimented making it over shs3.5m. For the source of funds, you know we are mature so I would call here and there, make up issues that need funding and my relatives and parents would simply send. Some buddies also contributed in addition to my savings.
This research is not one that needs 100% ingredients so whenever I got 70% ingredients, I would experiment however the packaging wasn’t nice and the tear gas lacked colour.
Of all innovations, why specifically did you have to venture into teargas manufacturing?
I always wanted to be exceptional and a soldier my entire life as a youth. So I thought my struggles of joining the military would have been better with such an expertise in making ammunition.
The other most important reason was that as a citizen, I wanted to save my country from spending billions on importing such explosives if they could be home made.
So you think this could be an employment opportunity for you after campus?
Yeah if the government could take me for maybe a two year course specialising in making explosives and I get the expertise because here at campus, they don’t care about us so there is probably nothing for us to learn.
Well, if this is part of your career then why is your faculty doing to you what Juda Iscariot did to Jesus especially Proff. Ntale Mohammad and DR. John Waswa? (both disowned him)
What could they have said. Truth is I do chemistry as a student at the college of natural sciences and indeed I used natural sciences to make these explosives and tear gas. These two were just scared of maybe being called “terrorist trainers” teaching students how to make bombs.
I admit I major in plant science as those two say but their claim that I have no ability and knowledge to do this is just baseless! I did this myself and no one has come out to say I stole their ideas so this is entirely Samuel Mugarura’s work
So you mean to say they didn’t back you up on this right from the start?
Yes when I started this, everyone thought I was crazy whoever I approached ran away from me instead.
Instead of criticising what do you suggest they should have done?
When someone invents something in the research stages like I was when I approached my seniors, they should sit them down, understand them and analyse if their statements hold water then help them.
I believe my invention has been an eye opener and my siblings from CEDAT, CONAS and other faculties will tomorrow come up with Rocket Launchers or RPG’s so how long will they keep shunning them. We need something to be proud of as Ugandans if America can do rockets, we are all homo sapiens, same blood, eating same food then why can’t we do this?
And the police too is against the research you made: isn’t this some kind of set back to you?
There is no way how they can block me. They are dealing with my mind not with my experiments. I do believe the police needs tear gas and there is no need for them to haunt people who have worked dusk to dawn to come up with such. If they keep up with this, a lot of brains will be wasted at universities. I tell them this is just the genesis.
Do you not think this is a threat to national security as the police claims?
Not really! If I wanted it to be a security threat, I wouldn’t have exposed it to the media. I would have made up a bomb and I blow up some building in town. But the intention was to show people that Uganda is ready to do its own explosives using its own natural resources and patriotic citizens. The police is just trying to intimidate everyone around me.
In every project, there are always hindrances. What are some of those hills that have proved so steep to climb to get to this successful stage?
Of course friends ran away from me, the police was also on my neck after hearing rumours but this is Falcao I was so careful with every step I took. Our education system isn’t good. It’s all mixed up for example I did PCB/M in high school but these are different worlds Maths is Jupiter, Biology is Earth, Chemistry is Mars and physics is Pangea.
Are you suggesting that the First lady/Minister of Education should review the education system?
Honestly, the government should change the education system. We should step away from doing a copy and paste form of work especially in science courses. Science is reading, knowing and then experimenting your own things. It’s so terrible how we do 70% theory, 15% research and 15% practical it should instead be like 60% practical, 20% theory and the rest research.
When you started this 2 years ago, didn’t your parents at one point think you have terrorism intentions?
I explained to them and they were understanding right from the beginning because that’s why they pay my tuition. When I exhibited at Caltec Academy and in Kajjansi, they were so proud of me for they believed I had taken a step towards achieving some of my goals.
With the continued police intervention and of being arrested don’t you fear for your life?
Yes I do live a fear full life now days. Most times I have to be at guild offices from where at least I get some feel of security.
But also, the police is not the government. I am an innovator of the government and it’s spending a lot of money and a young man, i could be of help.
Would your innovation be dropped in the bin if at all you don’t get proper funding from the government?
Very many people do such things in other countries and they are appreciated. I wonder why Uganda is taking too long to pick up such innovations for example the KIIRA EV car is being exhibited year in year out but they are not manufacturing more species of the kind. If they don’t support me, I’ll keep researching and at some point, my research will speak out for itself but truth be told, I don’t see my self putting down this research.
What’s your advice to students who have the same innovations like yours but fear to bring them up?
I implore them that the best tool they can use is confidence. People will always let them down but their confidence will keep them moving. Start creating things by thinking out of the box, be so innovative because Uganda is not only naturally endowed with resources but with brains too.
In this Uganda full of unemployed youth, if given a helping hand can this innovation of yours create jobs?
Yes a manufacturing plant can employ over 2000 people. When I started this, I imagined I wouldn’t get employed after graduation which will be soon so I thought why not develop something to create jobs with the background that Uganda factually needs ammunition. The only way to survive and develop is when the government and its people can do anything for themselves to boost the economy individually.
And as we conclude, what do you have to say for the public reaction towards this one of a kind innovation?
I do hate it that people are POLITIKING about this. They are making everything full of lies like when the police came to my residence and found things they don’t understand, they started alleging it’s cocaine yet they are my scientific materials. I know Ugandans appreciate the efforts I have put in this, I have no problem working with the government since I am a citizen.
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