One of the student leaders in Lumumba Hall has said that the culture of vibrancy, assertiveness, courage and brotherhood that is sometimes perceived as vulgar and hooliganism is to stay.

Lumumba is one of the most popular residences inside Makerere University, but its students are often perceived as the most unruly and vulgar. They express themselves through their cultural songs, instigating strikes and their anthem which was plagiarized from the Buganda Kingdom.

But the hall’s culture minister, Duncan Kashoma, says: "The Lumumba culture is to stay despite societal criticism to it." Kashoma told Journalism@Mak that the culture has been carried on from generation to generation and therefore must stay because it was found there and must be preserved.

He added that the vulgarity and hooliganism perceived of students in Lumumba Hall is not right because they only seek fairness and protect it as the vibrant members of the ivory tower.

Last semester, in one of his homilies at St Augustine Chapel, Reverend Father Charles Lwanga Makoboza asked the congregation and Makerere at large to pray for Lumumba Hall students to discern the vulgar language and culture of hooliganism. He noted that the culture could be changed to a moral, spiritual and socially acceptable culture.

Kashoma, however, insists that students emulate and preserve what Lumumba is and mean no harm to society. He added that most times their chaos only prevails if provoked otherwise they are very social, approachable and intelligent students.

The hall has a cultural patron best known as 'Gongom', whose monument is at the entrance of the hall. The patron is addressed as His Majesty, Highness and inspires students to work hard and keep united.

Gongom has a group of 10 guards called the Gongom Guard Brigade (GGB). They protect the figure against damage and they clean “him” daily.

The Gongom Guard Brigade say they are very passionate about the protection of their cultural patron as it's the most respected culture.

The hall houses 752 students in 241 double rooms on two blocks—A and B.

Built in late 1960s and officially opened in 1971, Lumumba Hall was named after Congolese independence hero and first prime minster, Patrice Emery Lumumba, who was assassinated in January 1961 just months after assuming office.