Luwero, Uganda – At least four pupils from Good Shepherd Primary and Secondary Schools in Luwero district were hospitalised on Thursday after police fired tear gas into their school compound while dispersing protesters. The demonstration was staged by residents of Mawale trading centre in Makulubita sub-county, who were protesting the dust caused by ongoing road construction along the 23-kilometre Mawale–Masulita–Kakiri road.
The roadworks, carried out by Abubaker Technical Services, have raised dust levels that residents say have caused respiratory illnesses including cough and flu. Isaiah Lutalo, defence secretary of Mawale village, explained that repeated requests to the contractor to control the dust were ignored, prompting residents to take to the streets. The situation escalated when protesters began blocking roads, burning tyres, and demanding money from motorists.
Police from Bombo police station intervened by firing tear gas to disperse the crowd. Unfortunately, some tear gas canisters landed inside the school compound, affecting pupils and leading to hospitalisation. Lutalo condemned the incident, highlighting the adverse impact on innocent children caught in the unrest.
This incident underscores the tensions between local communities and contractors over environmental and health concerns, as well as the challenges police face in managing protests without endangering bystanders. Authorities have yet to comment on measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.