Dr Ronald Luwangula, a senior lecturer at Makerere University’s School of Social Sciences in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration who was allegedly beaten by military police soldiers on Thursday last week has pointed fingers at the University management for looking on as soldiers continue to loiter at the institution. Dr Luwangula is nursing […]
Dr Ronald Luwangula, a senior lecturer at Makerere University’s School of Social Sciences in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration who was allegedly beaten by military police soldiers on Thursday last week has pointed fingers at the University management for looking on as soldiers continue to loiter at the institution.
Dr Luwangula is nursing serious injuries ,at Mengo Hospital in Kampala, after he was allegedly beaten by military police soldiers.
He says he was clobbered after conducting a lecture. He explains that after the lecture, he moved towards his office at the School of Social Sciences, about 10 meters away.
He claims that he was surprised when three military police soldiers attacked and beat him up using batons.
The soldiers are reported to have been dispersing students who had just attended the final guild elections rally at the nearby Freedom Square.
“I didn’t know that at that time, they were dispersing students who were from a rally at the Freedom Square,” he said.
He says he moved down the stairs bleeding profusely and was assisted by some students and security guards attached to Senaca Security Group.
He, however, says that when he went to the University Hospital, he did not receive any medical attention, but was instead taken to a nearby clinic where he received the first aid before being transferred to Mengo Hospital.
Following the incident, Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) members requested that the university premises be “demilitarised”.
Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi, the MUASA chairperson says the attack on Dr Luwangula is regrettably shameful .
“We request management to treat it as an occupational hazard and respond to his safety. We also request Council and Management to embark on demilitarisation of university spaces and concentrate on active mentorship and training of our students in non-violent methods,” Dr Kamunyu said.
No Smoke without Fire
It should be noted that last month, student leaders demanded for the withdrawal of UPDF and military police from the university since it is not a war zone .
Isaac Kwagala, the Makerere University Guild Speaker, said he has received several complaints of harassment by soldiers from staff members and students.
However, management said the soldiers would leave when the time is right.
