Abraham Kansiime, a student of bachelor of Automotive and Power Engineering at Kyambogo University has lost hand after it was shattered by a teargas canister.
Kansiime sustained serious damage on his right hand when he tried to pick up the canister and haul it back at police officers during a violent student strike today morning.
He was rushed to Kyambogo University Medical Centre, which transferred him to Nsambya hospital for further treatment.
"He is lucky he has been managed early," a staff at the University Medical Centre said. Police was called in after students rose up in protest against a new tuition policy requiring them to have cleared tuition by the 12th week of the semester else they get a 'dead year.'
The university academic registrar, Dr Anna Begumisa announced the policy changes recently. The students threw stones at vehicles, damaging windows of the university bus and university secretary’s vehicle. They also vandalized window panes of several university buildings.
Police fired teargas and live bullets to drive the students outside the university to the neighbouring Banda trading centre, leaving empty classes. A student leader said management used the window of change in the student leadership to enforce the new policy.
"We want soldiers and police out of Kyambogo University," the student leader said.