While gay rights activists view this law as cruel and dangerous, many conservative Ugandans, at least openly, regard it as a moral stand. Between these two extremes are those who ask politically neutral questions, such as, if a gay person walked into your business, wouldn’t you still serve them?
In short, the exact line and interpretation of Uganda’s anti-homosexuality law still appear unclear to many.
Makerere University, in all places, has found itself at the centre of this storm. The controversy stems from incidents at the university’s well-known Mitchell Hall, where two groups of students—one anti-gay and the other accused of same-sex acts—have clashed, forcing the university to respond.
On 13 October 2025, a group of students allegedly caught several others engaging in same-sex acts inside the hall, prompting the discovering students to riot. The alleged offenders were then made to admit their involvement in ‘gayism’ before the police intervened and removed them from the premises.
This incident followed weeks of suspicion and what the instigators described as “follow up measures” by a group calling themselves the Concerned Residents of Mitchell Hall. The group claimed to have discovered that some hall members were not only engaging in homosexual practices but also organising meet-ups and recruiting new members through WhatsApp groups.
When the police released the alleged gay suspects, the Concerned Residents wrote a letter dated 20 October addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students, Head of Security, Hostel Warden, Chaplain, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Inspector General of Police. Titled ‘Requesting for Clarification on the Stand of the University Against Homosexuality,’ the letter demanded accountability from the university for allowing individuals accused of engaging and recruiting students into homosexuality to reside in its halls, raising concerns about the safety of students who could be at risk. The letter also criticised the police for allegedly firing live bullets at unarmed students on the night of 13 October, claiming that this action served only to attract unnecessary attention and suppress expression, and insisting they have proof and eyewitness accounts to support these claims.
Affirming their stance with phrases like “we believe in the God’s plan of Man and woman only type of relationship,” the letter was signed off with “Culture and Dignity,” followed by a scrawl of signatures purportedly from the students behind the Concerned Residents label. Response?
On 21 October 2025, the Dean of Students’ Office, through Winifred Kabumbuli, responded in a letter titled ‘Violence in Mitchell Hall of Residence,’ condemning the actions of the Concerned Residents and stating:
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable and has no place at Makerere University. Every member of the university community deserves to live without fear of violence and harassment.”
Following that response, which the Concerned Residents argue ignored their main concern, the group went public, posting their 20 October letter on Mitchell Hall’s X (formerly Twitter) account, along with screenshots of WhatsApp chats and explicit same-sex photos they say show what’s happening in the corners of Mitchell Hall.
Reports now suggest that the university is investigating members of the Concerned Residents, with possible disciplinary action or expulsion over their conduct.
Online, the incident has divided opinions. Some users side with the alleged gay victims, arguing that regardless of their actions, they did not deserve assault. Among these voices is the gay publication Kuchu Times, which published an article titled “Mitchell Hall: Makerere Has Failed as an Educational Institution,” criticising the university for failing to protect gay students and take firm action against those who attacked them.
On the other hand, anti-gay voices, including Pastor Martin Ssempa, known from the viral “Why are you gay?” interview, have condemned Makerere University, accusing it of secretly promoting same-sex behaviour despite Uganda’s laws. In a short clip posted on his socials, Ssempa criticised Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe, alleging that the university administration “eats money” from organisations promoting same-sex acts under the guise of IDI and Gender equality, specifically naming the MasterCard Foundation and UNDP as funders.
As the public and the Concerned Residents of Mitchell Hall await an official statement from Makerere University on its stance, the discussion around homosexuality in Uganda calls for a clear and consistent position from both institutions and society.
English: Can @ProfNawangwe
tell the parents of @Makerere students if sodomy is being practiced and promoted at the University?Is this a pre condition for @MastercardFdn and @UNDPUganda money at the university? pic.twitter.com/zMMZFrtquH
— Martin Ssempa (@martinssempa) October 22, 2025
