Kampala, Uganda | URN | Police has denied reports that Local Defence Units (LDUs) clobbered a Makerere University student to death last week.
Police told this publication that according to their information, Emmanuel Tegu, a third year veterinary student of Makerere University was clobbered by a mob, that probably mistook him for a thief.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, says police received information around 11pm last Sunday from someone indicating that there was an incident of mob justice near Lumumba Hall in Makerere University.
“The police officers went to the scene and found an unidentified person unconscious lying on the ground with several injuries. The police patrol vehicle arrived later and the victim was transported to Mulago Hospital for treatment,” Onyango said.
He also explained that there is no LDU deployed at Makerere University.
“There is also fake news milling around that he was beaten by LDUs. No single LDU personnel is deployed at Makerere University. The security of the university is being managed by Police and private security firms,” Onyango said.
Tegu, succumbed to injuries allegedly inflicted on him reportedly by a mob. Tegu breathed his last at Mulago National Referral Hospital on Saturday where he was rushed after reportedly being assaulted by unidentified people near Lumumba Hall nearly a week earlier.
Several students have described the deceased as a person who was very committed to serving God. Luddie Kirabo, who fellowshiped with the deceased at Christ Hearts Church in Makerere, says Tegu would preach about God whenever he met fellow students.
“I didn’t know him so much and I was not so close to him but what I can tell you he was humbled and always preached about God,” Kirabo said. Moses Ochieng, another student says Tegu was very promising and diligent, adding that it is very unfortunate that he died too soon.
“You left so soon Brother. You were such a promising Lad. Very respectful and diligent. All he needed to know was that there is a mission and he sure would avail himself for the work of the Ministry,” Ochieng said.
Christ Heart Church in Makerere has not yet commented as the person who picked up our reported calls kept hanging up.
Ezra Byakutangaza, the Makerere University Guild Speaker, says there is very little information about the circumstances that led to Tegu’s attack that eventually cost his life.
“I have visited Makerere police station for an inquiry and they told me they responded to a mob beating someone. However, they found when people had escaped but the victim was in dire state. It is unfortunate that it happened when there were no students to witness the incident,” Byakutangaza said.
Read Also: Ugandan security teams have killed 6 people in COVID-19 operations during lockdown
He says perhaps the people in the university mistook Tegu for a thief. Other than International students who remained behind during the Covid19 lock down, several people including teaching and non-teaching staff stay on the campus.
At least 11 people have been shot dead or killed by security officers enforcing curfew and other COVID-19 directives.
The murders have occurred in Wakiso, Jinja, Budaka, Kween, Mukono, Kasese, Kampala, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi.
