The talk of political unrest during elections has caused a lot of panic amongst Ugandans; university students included. Actually, some students opted to report to their hostels only after the presidential elections had been finalized. This was mere speculation and paranoia up until the chaos that occurred on Monday this week. Presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye was scheduled to have his campaign rally at Makerere University but he was arrested due to his failure to follow some legal procedural guidelines.
The chaos that erupted in the University and around Wandegeya was like the premonition many had envisioned. Death, injuries, rioting and police officers surrounded these areas aggravating the already existing panic.
If people weren’t scared before, they are now. Parents have actually taken to demanding their children to return home until the elections are underway. It’s not a choice for many to stay at campus, the choice has already been made for them- with good reason of course. Hostels and halls around campuses have been cleared out till the dust settles.
For now all we have is hope. Hope for stability and peace during the election process on the 18th of February, and what comes after it.
