Through their spokesperson Fred Enanga, the Uganda Police Force has released a detailed statement following the arrest and disperse of Makerere University students who participated in demonstrations against the new 15% tuition policy.
One of the trending cases following the demonstration was the hospitalization of Siperia Molly, a Makerere university student who had led fellow female colleagues to peacefully deliver a petition to the president over tuition increment.
It was alleged that Siperia was abducted by unknown people and some rumours suggested that she was raped. The police have however rubbished all the claims. According to Police, the university’s move to cancel her Master Card sponsorship could have triggered an asthmatic attack that later led to her hospitalization.
“The 12 suspects were taken into protective custody at Wandegeya police station, and released in the evening. The following day of 23/10/2019, the ring leader, Siperia Molly, was dismissed and her Master Card sponsorship withdrawn by the University management for spearheading the strike. This could have triggered the asthmatic attack she got where she was admitted at Mengo Hospital. She was not abducted and raped as claimed by some propagandists.” Reads part of the statement.
According to Police’s statement, no student was tortured as alleged because they haven’t received a single case of someone complaining with proof. The statement further dismisses allegations that some students with disabilities were tortured during the execution of their duty.
While talking about the military’s invasion into university halls of residence, Enanga explained that teargas was used to smoke out ring leaders of the demonstration who had turned Lumumba Hall into a riot base.
“Upon further evaluation of the security situation, it was agreed that there was need to smoke out the student ringleaders who were using Lumumba hall as a tactical base. They were followed into the hall and some escaped through the windows. Till this stage we have not registered any complaints of torture by security personnel against the students.” The statement reads further.
For full statement click here
