Shock as KIU law student injured during Jesus reenactment lashes

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KAMPALA, Uganda

A Good Friday religious reenactment at Kampala International University has sparked outrage after a law student was seriously injured while playing the role of Jesus Christ.

Dennis Zziwa, a second-year law student, was part of the traditional Way of the Cross procession when what was meant to be symbolic suffering spiralled into real violence.

Witnesses say Zziwa was beaten during the reenactment, as expected in the dramatisation, but the situation quickly went out of control.

Instead of controlled acting, the blows became excessive and dangerous, leaving him injured and requiring medical attention.

When acting turns real—and dangerous

The Way of the Cross, purely acccording to Christians, is meant to symbolically depict the suffering of Jesus.

But in this case, observers say lines were crossed.

Videos circulating online show a crowd surrounding Zziwa as the reenactment unfolds, with concerns that some individuals may have taken advantage of the moment.

The incident has triggered debate on whether: 

• Crowd control failed, allowing uncontrolled participation
• Some participants used the chaos to inflict real harm
• Personal grievances may have been settled under the cover of a religious act

A worrying trend: Settling scores in public moments

The case has reignited concerns about a growing pattern where public gatherings--religious, political, or social--are exploited to settle personal scores.

In emotionally charged settings like Good Friday processions, where crowds are large and actions are symbolic, accountability can easily break down.

What should have been a solemn act of faith instead turned into a dangerous episode, raising questions about safety and intent.

Calls for accountability

Zziwa is reported to be recovering after treatment, but the incident has left many demanding answers.

There are growing calls for:

• Stricter control of reenactments
• Clear guidelines on physical contact during performances
• Investigations into whether individuals deliberately caused harm

This incident is more than a botched reenactment--it highlights how quickly symbolic acts can be hijacked, turning into real harm when discipline collapses.

For many, it’s a warning. In today’s environment, even sacred moments are not immune from misuse--and sometimes, what looks like participation may hide deeper intentions.