According to reports, two teenage boys were caught having sex on Sunday, August 2, which led to a strike.
Its said that the school's administration refused to expel the victims in fear of spoiling the reputation of the school. They wanted to handle matter silently and possibly expel the two students at the end of the term.
But the student body refused to study any longer if the administration did not expel the two gay students immediately.
The school staff managed to save the two boys from being attacked, and they were kept in a safe room to let the others settle down.
However on Tuesday night, the mob grew, violence started, and the police was called to restore calm. Police used tear gas and even fired live bullets in the air to deal with the situation.
Students told journalists that this was the reason for the unrest, though the school's head teacher claims it was a case of indiscipline related to theft.
On Wednesday morning, yesterday, the school was closed and students were sent home except candidates. Those who had no transport were kept in the safe custody at the police station.
The decision to close the school early before term end, was made by Mbarara District Police Commander, Jaffer Magyezi, together with the school administrators. Anti-riot police remained in guard of the school.
"We have decided to send away students from O'level classes, senior one to three as well as senior five students not to cause chaos. The students wanted to lynch two of their colleagues suspected of stealing their property but police came and saved the situation. However no property was destroyed," Jimmy Turyagyenda, the school's head teacher said.
Ntare School, founded in1956, is one of Uganda's largest and most respected schools and it boasts of prominent alumni including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, former Prime Minister of Uganda, Amama Mbabazi and others.