NATIONAL STUDENTS’ CAUCUS

SOLIDARITY STATEMENT AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY IN THE REGION

Our attention has been brought to the recent spate of violence that has been visited upon students in
three different universities across the region. The University of Nairobi in particular, has opted to hire
goons from outside who in certain cases walk in the company of police officers. The individuals who run
this criminal network are well known.

University of Nairobi

The thugs mostly walk in groups of five to six, in most cases accompanied by the university security
officials. Every evening, they are seen reporting to the SWA security office. There, they report to Mr.
Okello and Mr. Ambunya, who are the heads of that particular security office. For the past four months,
they have been used to attack several students. In certain instances, they receive back up from a section
of the Lavington Security officials. The most notorious of the Lavington security guards who assists in
perpetrating the attacks is Mr. Nyongesa. Others include Mr. Mutie and Mr. Mauti, both from Parklands
Campus and Mr. Kevin, a Lavington security official attached at the main campus.

The victims who fall into their hands suffer serious violence. They are attacked with clubs and even
metallic elements, causing serious bodily harm. Most of the attacks are either done at night or during
class hours, when there is not so much movement around the compound. Once the victims have been
attacked, they are either driven away from the compound and dumped in far off places to fight for their
own lives or taken to the police station where charges are labelled against them.

Jommo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Allan was brutally attacked by four armed police officers. In spite of the injuries sustained, the rogue
officers still insisted on taking him to the police cells. Several other students also got injured in the
process.

Makerere University

Not so long ago, students at Makerere Universitry had one of the most traumatizing experiences in their
lifetime. With the police entering the hostels and clobbering the students, the government of Uganda
exposed itself as one that is willing to use any amount of force to suppress dissenting voices among the
students. We condemn the attacks at Makerere University in the strongest terms possible and
consequently express solidarity with the GUID during such unfortunate moments.

Going forward, we demand for justice for the affected students and that the authorities concerned take
the necessary steps to discipline the errant police officers.

Maxwell Magawi

Convener, National Students’ Caucus