Tension gripped Makerere University over the weekend after an incident at Mitchell Hall triggered a violent confrontation among students, forcing police to intervene with live gunfire to disperse the crowd.
According to students who were present, the unrest began when a group of residents confronted two male colleagues over what they described as inappropriate behavior. Tempers quickly flared, drawing in more residents and leading to an attempted mob attack before campus security and police rushed to the scene.
Eyewitnesses say officers fired several live bullets in the air as the situation spiraled out of control, sending panic across the hall and surrounding areas.
“According to residents, the confrontation was reportedly sparked by private online exchanges circulating among students, which raised suspicion and prompted hall members to question their colleagues.”
“Everyone was running in confusion; we just heard gunshots and shouting. It was total chaos,” said one resident.
In the aftermath, a group calling itself Concerned Citizens of Mitchell Hall wrote to the Vice Chancellor, demanding accountability over the police’s use of live ammunition and calling for the university to clarify its position on student conduct.
The group accused police of acting unprofessionally and urged Makerere administration to restore calm and guarantee student safety in the halls of residence.
The university has yet to release an official statement on the matter, but sources within administration say an internal investigation is underway to establish the facts behind the confrontation and the police response.
