A Makerere University student attached to Lumumba Hall of residence is in tears after losing his right hand painfully while attempting to throw away a teargas canister that he thought was empty.

According to reports, the victim identified as Richard aka Sebzo was notified by his girlfriend that there was a tear gas canister in his room but the canister exploded shortly after Richard held it, leaving his right hand severely injured.

The canister was among the many that were fired by Police officers on Monday in an attempt to calm down striking students. According to multiple Whatsapp status updates shared by a fellow Lumumba Hall resident, they were chilling in their room on Tuesday when they heard a big explosion.

The students rushed to find out what had happened before finding stains of blood and pieces of flesh all over the victim’s room.

“Some witnesses say he found what he thought was an empty canister and attempted to open it then boom the thing exploded chopping off his right hand!” One of the status updates reads.

“The canister failed to explode when it was detonated by the police on his return to his room his girlfriend spotted it and notified him as he was trying to throw it out it exploded in his right hand leaving it in shambles!” Another status update reads.

Richard is currently receiving treatment at the Makerere University hospital, according to reports.

Hundreds of students on Monday took to the streets to protest the university’s decision to continue holding lectures in a blended learning manner yet President Museveni reopened the economy fully.

Following the strike, Police officers stormed the university to calm down the students. Firing teargas in halls of residence and hostels was one of Police’s tactics in curbing down the strike.