On October 28, 2024, police arrested 11 students from Kyambogo University during a demonstration against the administration’s decision to suspend student government elections and institute a caretaker government. 

The week prior, the university administration had cited concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral body voting for candidates. Students, arguing that the allegations were untrue, marched to the university’s senate building to submit a petition opposing the suspension of the guild elections. During their march, they chanted slogans and held up signs. As they gathered around the senate building, police intervened and arrested 11 students. 

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the arrests of peaceful student protesters by police. While state authorities have an obligation to take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of students and university personnel and should endeavor to prevent disruptions that inappropriately inhibit the functioning of or access to higher education, they must do so consistent with their responsibility to ensure academic freedom and free expression on campus. The punishment of nonviolent student expression undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
*SAR identified this incident in data made publicly available by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) Daily Monitor (Uganda)
https://x.com/ntvuganda/status/1850855296324739226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1850855296324739226%7Ctwgr%5Eb2897b3173ddd20243e6cade39a533a7e92297bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcampusbee.ug%2Fopinions-by-university-students-in-uganda%2Fvideo-kyambogo-students-protest-decision-to-suspend-guild-elections%2F
https://campusbee.ug/opinions-by-university-students-in-uganda/video-kyambogo-students-protest-decision-to-suspend-guild-elections/
https://spyreports.co.ug/police-arrest-11-kyambogo-university-students-over-guild-elections