By Laura Cenge
A heavy shroud of unease and apprehension hangs in the air, casting a pall over the once serene and inviting atmosphere of Uganda. The country has been transformed into a harrowing battlefield where fear and uncertainty have taken root. The tranquility that once graced the Pearl of Africa has been shattered by the chilling echoes of gun violence, infiltrating even the most peaceful corridors of Uganda Christian University (UCU). The community now finds itself gripped by a profound sense of sorrow and shock, mourning the tragic loss of innocent souls to acts of unspeakable evil.
In light of these heartbreaking incidents, the Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi, while addressing community worship in Nkoyoyo Hall, has implored the relevant government departments to take immediate action. He emphasized the critical need to review the training provided to personnel employed by private security firms, ensuring their competency in handling firearms responsibly and preventing further misuse.
“Let me urge the respective government departments responsible for security, because increasingly, we see private security firms that don’t train their personnel very well, and so we see a lot of misuse of firearms,” he said.
In response to the prevailing threat, students were urged to exercise the utmost caution while conducting their daily activities and socializing in the evenings, particularly in the communities surrounding the university. The call to vigilance aimed to safeguard them from becoming victims of such tragic circumstances that had already claimed precious lives in their midst.
“Let me urgue you, students; the Bible urges us to be careful to live not as unwise but as wise,” said Mushengyezi.
The Vice Chancellor’s words resonated deeply as they came only a day after the tragic death of Agaba Rodney, a final-year student from the School of Business. Rodney had met his untimely demise at Meru Fuel Station in Kiwanga, Goma Division, Mukono Municipality, where he was fatally shot by a security guard named Kadili Tugume. As the young student attempted to scale a wall fence, a confrontation ensued, tragically culminating in Tugume firing the fatal shot.
Rodney was rushed to Gwatiro Health Center, where his life was pronounced extinguished. His death marked the second loss within a fortnight, following the shooting of Natasha Nagayi, another UCU student, in the chest by an anti-terrorism police officer who mistook her for someone else.
The VC said this during an induction service for the newly admitted students to the university. He went to call on the new students to uphold UCU values. He reminded the students about the UCU theme, “A Complete Education for a Complete Person.”
“In other words, our goal is to train you to be complete human beings,” Mushengyezi noted.
He added that there is a need to provide academic knowledge, soft skills, and values that make people truly human.
