Wakiso, Uganda | URN | Police have arrested 54 students who were participating in a smoking festival organized in Kibulooka, Nansana West Ward, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district. The arrest came after residents of Kibulooka reported excessive noise coming from the students’ party on Saturday 3, June 2023.
Luke Owoyesigyire, the Deputy Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson for the police in Lubigi, stated that the police responded to the distress call and raided the house where loud music was being played. He says that upon entering the premises, the police discovered the students chewing Khat (mairungi), smoking shisha, and consuming other intoxicating substances.
All the students were found to have identification cards from Old Kampala Secondary School. “They are currently in custody at Lubigi Police Station while we locate their parents and engage with their school,” Owoyesigyire explained.
When contacted on phone, the headteacher William Ssuuna, said the incident happened following the students’ prom night.
“We got intelligence about some of the students planning an after-party and where it was going to take place. We even warned the students not to go,” he added.
Suuna emphasized, however, that they also informed the police of what some of the students were planning. “It seems they had been doing it before I came to this school and no one cared about it. But we think the police delayed, which gave the students time to gather for the party,” he added.
Suuna stressed that only 30 students were from Old Kampala Secondary School, adding the others came from other institutions.
“They were released on bond and the school is going to take further action. As the school, we condemn the incident and we don’t encourage such among our students. That is why we tried to take pre-emptive measures. We took the initiative because we didn’t want this to happen,” he added.
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Since the majority of the students are day scholars, Suuna said the school administration was powerless to pursue them after classes.
He emphasized that heavy sanctions would be meted out on the ringleaders and organizers while other students, who participated, would face other disciplinary action depending on their contribution.
However, the police have stated their intention to charge the students with possession of narcotics and noise pollution. This incident is not the first time students have been arrested for engaging in criminal activities during house parties.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the police raided a house in Bukoto where students were found consuming drugs, and alcohol, and engaging in sexual activities. Many of the students involved were between the ages of 13 and 17.
