A second-year law student at Kampala International University has been hospitalised in Uganda after a Good Friday reenactment of the “Way of the Cross” turned violent, leaving the student injured during his portrayal of Jesus Christ
A solemn Good Friday observance at Our Lady of Africa Church in Mbuya, Uganda, took a traumatic turn when Dennis Zziwa, a second-year law student at Kampala International University (KIU), was rushed to the hospital after sustaining injuries during a “Way of the Cross” reenactment. Zziwa, who was cast in the lead role of Jesus Christ, was participating in the annual passion play when the dramatization of Christ’s suffering reportedly escalated beyond the planned choreography. Spectators described an alarming scene where the physical demands of the role and the intensity of the scripted beatings resulted in real-world harm, causing the performance to be halted as the actor’s condition deteriorated in front of the congregation.
Emergency responders from the Red Cross, who were stationed on-site to provide routine medical cover for the large gathering, acted swiftly as the line between performance and genuine distress became blurred. After administering immediate first aid at the scene, the medical team evacuated Zziwa to Lamone Health Center in Luzira for further observation and specialized treatment. Eyewitnesses noted that the atmosphere shifted from religious reflection to widespread panic as it became clear that the student was no longer merely acting out the “Way of the Cross” but was in need of urgent clinical intervention.
As of Saturday, April 4, 2026, Zziwa remains under close medical supervision, though his current condition is reported to be stable. The incident has ignited a national debate regarding the safety protocols and physical risks associated with live religious performances, particularly those involving high-intensity physical portrayals. Church officials and community leaders are facing calls to review the training and safeguards provided to volunteer actors to ensure that future commemorative events do not result in further hospitalisations.
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