Students at the Equator University of Science and Technology (EQUSat) in Masaka City are counting significant losses after unidentified criminals reportedly raided a female students’ hostel and made away with valuables despite the facility supposedly being under round-the-clock private security protection.
The shocking incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning, has raised serious questions about security arrangements at the institution after thieves allegedly penetrated the hostel and stole property belonging to students.
According to preliminary findings, the criminals targeted the female residence hall located in Kigamba, a suburb of Masaka City, and escaped with several items including laptop computers, mobile phones and cash.
In the aftermath of the break-in, police moved swiftly and arrested 13 private security guards who had been deployed to protect the premises at the time of the incident.
All the suspects are employees of PSG Security Company Limited, which had been contracted to provide security services at the hostel.
Authorities believe the guards may provide crucial information regarding how the attackers managed to gain access to the facility and execute the theft without being stopped.
Southern Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye confirmed the arrests and said investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Kasirye revealed that some suspects were caught as they tried to flee the area following the incident,” Kasirye said.
He added that investigators were compiling evidence and statements before presenting suspects before court, while security agencies continue searching for other individuals believed to be connected to the break-in.
The incident has left many students frustrated and worried, particularly because the targeted hostel was expected to be secure under the watch of multiple guards. Some students reportedly lost important academic materials stored on laptops and mobile devices, raising concerns about the impact on their studies.
EQUSat is one of Uganda’s newest medical and health sciences institutions. The university was established through a partnership involving the Government of Uganda, acting through the Ministry of Health, and the University of Lahore in Pakistan. The institution began admitting students in 2021.
Located adjacent to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, the university uses the facility as its teaching hospital for practical training and clinical instruction.
The institution has grown steadily since its establishment and currently hosts close to 600 students drawn from Uganda and several other countries, including Liberia, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Chad, Comoros and Niger.
As investigations continue, students and parents are expected to demand answers over how such a major security breach occurred at a facility that was supposedly under heavy guard.
Besides the loss of property, a raid on a students’ hostel also raises questions on their safety and privacy.
Weeks ago, Kyanja Airbnb ‘Leaked Videos’ Sparked Concerns on Hidden Cameras, Privacy in Kampala as reported Here.
You can see the list of 65 best universities and institutes in Uganda in 2026 HERE.
