Ugandan students escape attack by peers over homosexuality claims
Ugandan school rocked by riots after allegations that classmates are gay
Ntare School, one of Uganda‘s oldest boys secondary schools is currently counting costs after its students staged a violent strike over allegations of homosexuality against four of their colleagues.
The students were apparently taking the matter in their own hands after the school administration and the students’ leadership body took no action against four students accused of practicing and promoting homosexuality.
Head Teacher Saul Rwampororo said the rioting students’ mission was to harm the accused students, and when the mission failed, they resorted to destroying school property. The affected premises included the deputy head teacher’s office and the staff room.
“There was an occurrence here at school where boys were suspecting some students to have been involved in gay behavior and tried to harass them,” Rwampororo told the media.
Two of the accused students were rescued by school administrators. The other two managed to flee the school premises on their own, but one sustained serious injuries before escaping and was taken to hospital.
“They wanted to beat them, and two boys ran away while two others were saved by the administration. Even those who ran away, we caught up with them. One was hurt, but we took him to the hospital,” Rwampororo said.
He condemned the violent behaviour of the students and promised disciplinary action against the students behind it.
“The safety and well-being of our students is paramount, and such acts of violence undermine the values of education and respect we aim to instill here,” he said.
Ugandan media quoted one of the students claiming that homosexuality is being practiced in the school but the administrators are not addressing it.
“We have prefects who live with us and meet regularly with the administration, but they claim not to be aware,” he said.
The students accuse the school administration (without evidence) of not only covering up the alleged homosexuality but also being involved.
“If we the students know, what about the leaders? This was just a wakeup call. If it’s not addressed, we will take it upon ourselves to stop the vice. The President, who is an Old Boy of this school, assented to the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. It would be a shame to hear that such practices are happening here,” another student told the press.
Since it was enacted, the Anti-Homosexuality Act has emerged as the number one driver of violent behaviour directed at presumed or known LGBTQI+ persons in Uganda.
Police were called in to contain the situation, and an investigation by police and school authorities into the violence is said to be underway.
Ugandan LGBTQ rights advocate Frank Mugisha expressed dismay about the violence at Ntare school. While the specifics of the case are still unfolding, Mugisha says the incident exposes a far-reaching challenge on how Uganda handles sexuality, identity, and adolescent development in schools and society at large.
“People are often judged, ostracized, or even punished for who they are believed to be rather than for any actions they have taken. This radicalized environment makes schools, families, and communities unsafe for students who are simply trying to navigate the natural changes of adolescence or understand themselves. The Ntare School case demonstrates how these pressures play out in real time. Students, whether out of curiosity, misunderstanding, or peer pressure, escalated a situation that might have been resolved with careful guidance and education,” Mugisha says.
He suggests that schools set up safe spaces where students can talk confidentially about the growth and changes in their bodies, explore their identities, and ask questions without fear of judgment.
“Professional guidance counselors should work alongside school administrators and parents to support students’ emotional, social, and mental well-being. Education, not punishment, is the tool that can reduce fear, stigma, and misinformation,” he says.
