Makerere University has broken its silence following a controversy at its 2026 Freshers' Ball, where a woman was filmed undressing in front of revellers. The incident sparked widespread outrage and debate on social media. According to the university, the woman involved was a former student, not one of the newly admitted students being welcomed at the annual celebration.
The incident happened on Saturday, October 31, at Impis Rugby Grounds, where thousands of students and other revellers had gathered for the Freshers' Ball. Videos of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing the woman dancing on an elevated surface before removing her clothes as revellers watched.
The footage triggered mixed reactions, with some questioning the conduct displayed at a university event while others criticised the widespread sharing of the woman's images. Makerere's Office of the Dean of Students said management had taken note of the incident with concern, adding that the conduct undermined the values and standards expected of members of the university community.
The university has launched an immediate and comprehensive review of security and event management arrangements for university-sanctioned social functions. Management says the review is intended to prevent similar incidents at future gatherings. The university acknowledged an appeal from the woman's family, asking members of the public to stop circulating the videos and photographs of the incident.
The incident was one of several controversies surrounding this year's Freshers' Ball, which was also rocked by a confrontation involving Guild President Gracious Kadondi and musician Fik Fameica. The disagreement erupted when Kadondi attempted to address students while the musician was being introduced to perform.
The guild's Minister for Culture, Mobilisation and Social Affairs, Edward Mutebi, was subsequently suspended by Kadondi on November 1 over his alleged failure to meet the standards expected of a guild minister in organising the event. Mutebi later resigned, accusing the Guild President of interfering with event arrangements and blaming her for the breakdown in coordination.
Makerere's Freshers' Ball is an annual social event organised to welcome newly admitted students into university life. It also attracts continuing students, alumni and members of the public, making it one of the university's major social gatherings. As the university reviews its event management procedures, attention will be on whether the exercise results in tighter controls over access, crowd management and activities at future campus celebrations.
Key points
- The university has confirmed that the woman involved was a former student, not one of the newly admitted students.
- The incident has sparked a review of security and event management arrangements for university-sanctioned social functions.
- The controversy is one of several surrounding this year's Freshers' Ball, including a confrontation involving Guild President Gracious Kadondi and musician Fik Fameica.
