I take this opportunity to give God’s response in the Holy Scriptures about the current trends in the Makerere University atmosphere. Whereas the cause of the rioters about exorbitant retake fees may be partially justified, I do not agree with the measures taken to show their displeasure. God is not a God of confusion or of disorder. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1Co 14:33). we see clearly that God never uses avenues that breed confusion in society or in the church. During a certain point in the ministry of Jesus as He was moving through Samaria and was rejected by the people, Apostles James and John called for violent methods to avenge this irresponsive attitude, “And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village”(Luk 9:53-56). The Apostles James and John had a grievance against the men of Samaria because they had rejected their gospel. They had a desire to burn up the vehicles and shops of the people of Samaria but Jesus rebuked them. The same fleshly desire to burn up people and their property which we have seen demonstrated in Makerere University and Kampala city was prevalent in the unregenerate minds of Apostles John and James.
There is no way that two wrongs can make right. When fees for retakes are increased, the solution is not to burn university property and loot surrounding shops and canteens. This is a classic example of men and women under =the influence of the devil performing his will. Paul spoke clearly of how a believer should respond when something wrong is done towards them, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men”  (1Th 5:15). The solution to evil is not evil. I am aware that even born again Christians have both taken part in and supported the strike. This is a sinful act that goes against sound Biblical doctrine. Paul again made a reference to this in the book of Romans, “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:17-21). Apostle Paul makes several interesting remarks concerning vengeance. Within every human being, the flesh desires to avenge and do something evil to a person who has done wrong to them. Many times it is expressed physically with destruction to the person or property of an individual and other time it simply stays within an individual in avenues such as hatred and bitterness. The solution Apostle Paul gives is to “Recompense to no man evil for evil” (v.17), God saw that men were going to avenge those who have done evil to them. God does not encourage such actions. He desires us to live at peace with all men and not in conflict or confusion. Peace can never be achieved without forgiveness. Not only should we forgive but we should feed our enemies. God does not nullify the fact that enemies exist or that there will be no people who wrong us. However, God desires us to leave the matter in His hands, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (v.19). This does not sound like He wants us to take the law into our own hands. Many times even born again Christians have been involved in such riots because they choose to side in with the world and worldly opinions rather than choosing to renew their minds with God’s word and obeying that word. When you do good to those who do evil against you, a greater impact is achieved than when tooth is taken for tooth, “for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head”. The Understandable Version New Testament brings this scripture out clearly, “But  [Prov.  25:21-25 says],  “Feed your enemy if he is hungry;  give him something to drink if he is thirsty.  For when you do this,  it will be  [like]  heaping burning coals on his head.”  [i.e.,  it can cause him burning shame that can lead to his repentance and ultimate forgiveness].” (v.20), this shows us that burning shame will consume the enemy and he will repent of his evil deeds.
Imagine what would have happened if Jesus had decided to strike when the Roman soldiers came to arrest Him. You would be plunging your way into an eternity in a fiery hell without God. Jesus said that He truly had the power to instigate a successful riot, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (Joh 18:36) He said that it was possible for Him to command His servants to fight but He did not take that step. Judging by the great support that Jesus enjoyed among the people, it would have been easy for Him to command the multitudes to fight for Him. “The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him” (Joh 12:19), these were not Jesus’ disciples commenting on His popularity but his enemies the Pharisees. They saw that the whole world was at Jesus’ beck and call. Again Jesus faced a situation in the garden of Gesthemane where He had the opportunity to start a riot and destroy men with angels, “And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” (Mat 26:51-54). Simon Peter an apostle took out His sword and cut off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the High Priest in his self-given role of bodyguard. Jesus did not commend him for this “heroic act”. Rather Jesus rebuked this man and told him to return the sword into the sheath or holder. 
I remember a time when I was coming out of a fellowship at night together with my friend Alex. This incident occurred over 4 years ago. During this period we were supposed to be conducting some American missionaries in their tour and preaching circuit of Kampala. This incident occurred when I had already left the missionaries and was now at home. From home I went for that fellowship which was a walking distance away from home. As we were leaving the fellowship, we were crossing a dark murram road. Out of the obscure darkness, a speeding bicycle rolling downhill rammed into my leg. This bicycle was moving at such a high speed that it knocked me flat into the middle of the road. Not only did I fall flat onto the ground but I also was knocked out of my senses. I do not remember exactly what happened until I felt Alex lifting me up and taking me back to wards the house where we were having the fellowship. I remember that I could not walk properly neither could I speak well, apparently because the fall had made me knock my jaw on the road. After cleaning me up, since there was blood coming from my nose we went outside. We endeavored to look for the nearest clinic but were not able to get one that was available at that time of night since it was about 9pm. We came back to the house and I noticed that the bicycle of the man who had knocked me was still lying there. It had been taken into the custody of the fellowship leaders since  the owner of the bicycle ran off after he saw what had happened to me. The people around me were saying that they should keep the bicycle and take the owner to the police the next day. Within my heart I did not feel any hatred or anger towards the man who had knocked me down. We were leaving the house when the rider what had knocked me appeared. I told the people to leaven him alone and allow him to take his bicycle. I spoke to him and told him that I forgave him. I then asked him whether he wanted to give his life to Jesus. The man accepted and I told my friend to lead him through a confession prayer. That rider gave his life to Jesus Christ under the moonlight just next to the spot where he had knocked me down before. This was not me but God working through me. This is the principle of Jesus in action. Imagine what would have happened if I had harbored bitterness and anger in my heart. This man would not even be saved today.
Now we can get to the principle of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount. This was one of the greatest spiritual principles of all time and still rings throughout the heavens and the earth till this day.  “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mat 5:38-39). Jesus changed the Old Testament principle of an eye for an eye and made it null and void. When someone does something evil to you, you should not resist evil. Offer the other cheek. Jesus does not advocate retaliation, rather he advocates turning the other cheek. There is no better conclusion to this message than this relevant translation of The Message, “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer” (Mat 5:38-44).