Four students at Ntare School narrowly escaped death Saturday night after being attacked by fellow students accusing them of promoting homosexuality.
The incident unfolded at one of Uganda’s most prestigious all-boys secondary schools, located in Mbarara. It comes amid heightened tensions following Uganda’s controversial 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act.
Eyewitnesses report chaotic scenes on campus as groups clashed violently, forcing local authorities to intervene. While no official injuries or arrests have been confirmed yet, some school property was damaged during the unrest.
Ntare School, founded in 1956 and known for producing many of Uganda’s leaders, has a history of student unrest, including clashes earlier this year involving arrests. But this latest event is distinct, directly linked to rising fears stirred by the harsh penalties prescribed by the new law — including life imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty for same-sex relations.
A senior teacher at the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the situation as “deeply concerning.”
“What began as a rumor quickly spiraled into moral panic. This is no longer just about school discipline; it’s about fear,” the teacher said.
The 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act has faced international criticism for criminalizing identity rather than actions. A 2024 Human Rights Watch report highlighted how the law’s provisions were upheld despite lacking credible evidence behind claims of forced recruitment into homosexuality, a narrative often used to justify crackdowns.
Lydia Atwooki, a regional human rights advocate based in Kampala, commented: “Schools should be places of learning, not fear and surveillance. Laws targeting identity create dangerous environments for young people.”
Experts say the violence at Ntare School reveals deep tensions within Uganda’s education system and reflects wider national debates on morality and human rights.
