Makerere University in Uganda suspends student over homophobic violence
Attempted student lynching latest example of growing anti-LGBTQ violence in Uganda
Uganda’s largest institution of higher learning, Makerere University in Kampala, has suspended a student for taking part in a violent assault against a fellow student (Kitale Shafiq) after accusing him of being gay. The incident took place during the night of 16 October, and police were called in to contain the situation. Live bullets were reportedly fired to disperse students who were determined to lynch their colleague.
In a leaked letter signed by the university’s Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe and copied to senior University officials, Mr. Murungi Brian, a resident of Mitchell Hall, was asked to vacate the university premises with immediate effect pending investigations into his alleged involvement in the violence that led to the destruction of property.
Murungi is one of the many students from Mitchell Hall who were behind the violence, though many are yet to be identified. In a letter addressed to the University Vice Chancellor, they defended their actions, claiming that they were taking the matter into their own hands because the university authorities were reluctant take action.
“We are writing as concerned resident students of Mitchell Hall to seek urgent clarification on Makerere University’s official position regarding the growing habit of “male to male relationships dabbed gayism, and we are particularly interested in understanding whether it is the role of the university to promote this vice or stand with us in these unprecedented times on such matters.
“On a strong note, we as Mitchell Hall we highly condemn anything or anyone who would like to associate as gay, we believe in the God’s plan of Man to woman only type of relationships,” the attackers stated in the letter.
They also accused the police of what they described as unprofessional conduct during the night of the violence.
The university administration however insists that the students’ conduct was contrary to the Makerere University Students Regulations.
The University Dean of Students Winifred Kabumbuli condemned the incident, saying that violence of any kind is unacceptable and has no place at Makerere University.
“Every member of the University community deserves to live without fear of violence or harassment,” Kabumbuli says in a letter addressed to all students.
She said those responsible will be subjected to the disciplinary action in line with the university rules and regulations.
The homophobic violence by the students was also condemned widely, especially on the social media platform X (former Twitter).
“Uganda belongs to all of us irrespective of our sexual orientation. Stop your homophobic witch hunting of gay people at @MitchellHallMAK and at @Makerere University!” wrote Stella Nyanzi, a poet and political activist.
“It’s deeply disturbing that 31 bigots took time to sign this homophobic letter! No school, including Makerere University should be a place for bias/exclusion of lgbtqi+ Ugandan students. We are all born different & we love different. Stop the intolerance/hate now,” wrote Hillary Taylor aka Justice Hunter, a US-based Ugandan gay rights advocate.
“Mitchell Hall has always been a place that stands above such pettiness. What adults consensually do shouldn’t be the concerned of the mob. Being gay is not a crime and University students should know that above all. ‘Raise the banner of (victory) Mitchell Hall’ do better,” wrote Alex Martin, a former Makerere student.
