Mbarara, Uganda – 10 August 2025

A Sunday morning at Ntare School descended into violence when a mob of students targeted four of their peers suspected of being gay, in an attack that has rattled Uganda’s embattled LGBTQ and human rights communities.

According to headteacher Saul Rwamporo, the confrontation began during the morning hours when a group of learners confronted the four students. Two fled the scene, prompting the crowd to accuse the head prefect of concealing additional names of suspected LGBTQ students. The mob then turned on the prefect.

One student attempting to escape was injured, while two others were rescued by school administrators. Police were called in to restore order, but not before windows in several buildings, including the deputy headteacher’s office and the staff room, were smashed.

Rwamporo confirmed the events and acknowledged the damage but did not address concerns from rights defenders that the incident reflects a broader climate of fear facing queer youth in Uganda’s schools.

Under Uganda’s anti-homosexuality laws, queer people face extreme stigma, criminal penalties, and threats to their safety. In educational settings, this has translated into increasing cases of bullying, harassment, and, as seen at Ntare, violent vigilante actions.

Police have not announced arrests in connection with Sunday’s violence. Human rights advocates are calling for an independent investigation and for the protection of the targeted students, warning that without action, such incidents will likely continue.

The injured student’s condition was not immediately known at the time of publication.