Makerere University lecturer joins students in strike against raid on halls of residence

A Makerere University School of Law Lecturer has in the wake of the ongoing strike at the institution vowed not to lecture.

Prof Ben Twinomugisha made the  revelation via social media, saying he was doing it protest of military raid of students halls of residence.

The Thursday night raid left behind several injured students and destroyed properties worth millions of shillings.

According to Judith Nalukwago, the university’s guild vice president those injured are admitted to the university hospital while others have been booked into private hospitals outside.

Now Prof. Twinomugisha has likened the raid to Amin soldiers’ brutal treatment of students and lecturers in the 1970s.

Here is the full statement.

I will not step at Makerere today. I must rebel individually in protest against the vulgar, in-despicable, horrendous mistreatment of students.

What happened in Lumumba is reminiscent of Amin soldiers’ brutal treatment of students and lecturers. Anyone pretending that the situation is normal is like the proverbial ostrich hiding his or her head under the sand. Imagine your son or daughter in a room.

Military thugs forcefully open the door, pull him or her out amidst beatings. Your daughter being raped, molested or assaulted! Ladies and gentlemen, this militarization of all institutions, including the Ivory Tower, the citadel of higher learning, must be condemned by all people of good conscience.

Thus, I have decided, as a matter of conscience, to stay away from the ‘torture chambers’ of Makerere University today. My heart, body and soul are bleeding. I have no mental health to teach.

Have a blessed day.”