University Football League: Police fire teargas, bullets to disperse rowdy Makerere & Kyambogo university students

The highly anticipated Kyambogo University vs Makerere University Nile Special Football League game didn’t take place as fans from both sides turned rowdy even before the game began. Police fired live bullets and teargas canisters to disperse the fighting crowds at Kyambogo university main grounds in the game that was later to be abandoned.

Two students who could not easily be identified were badly injured in the process and were rushed to the nearest medical centre for treatment.

With the low deployment of Police,  students invaded the football grounds demanding that security be increased. Both teams top their groups separated by goal difference.

“This is a high tense game and the security is weak, ” warned Bwowe Ivan a former Guild President of Makerere University.

Shortly after his warning,  Match Officials were escorted off the pitch as police sought reinforcement but the impatient students started throwing stones and sticks against each other.

Police intervened by firing live bullets in the air,  teargas and later engaged students in running battles. A student from Makerere University was reportedly arrested for looting.

Police then guarded and protected the Makerere University football team together with their stranded fans outside the University premises amid flying stones,  teargas and live bullets.

Kyambogo university students had laid ambush waiting for their departure. The students then walked their way to the University with Police trailing them.

Students from both camps accused each other of fueling violence.

It should be noted that in the previous edition,  at the same grounds,  the game was absconded at half time after Makerere Students trailing by two goals,  invaded the pitch leading to scuffles and teargas. The return leg didn’t take place at Kyambogo failed to turn up amidst security fears.

The court of arbitration of sports will sit and give a judgment about the game