A 13-year-old Primary Four pupil was shot dead and two other students were injured on Wednesday when security forces opened fire to disperse rioting students in Koboko Municipality.
The deceased has been identified as Buruga Ramathan, a pupil at Nuru Islamic Primary School and resident of Gbulagbulanga cell. He died instantly after being hit by a stray bullet.
Chaos erupted after a violent confrontation between students of St. Charles Lwanga College and Kochi Secondary School, triggered by a recent football match. The rivalry spilled into the streets Wednesday morning, with students blocking the busy Koboko-Oraba road.
According to Emmy Mitala, the Resident District Commissioner for Koboko, a joint team of Uganda Police Force and UPDF was deployed to restore order.
‘The rowdy students started stoning the officers and damaging the patrol vehicle. In turn, officers released bullets to disperse the crowd. Unfortunately, a stray bullet hit Ramathan Buruga, who died instantly,’ said SSP Josephine Angucia, West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson.
Two other students sustained injuries from stray bullets. They include Hamid Mahazim, 16, wounded in his left foot, and Khalifah Rajab, a Senior Four student at Nyarilo Secondary School. All injured students are receiving treatment at facilities including Koboko Hospital.
Police have condemned the violence and opened an investigation under SD Ref 59/24/06/2026.
‘We condemn acts of strikes by students because they are not only illegal but can be destructive and fatal,’ SSP Angucia said. ‘We encourage students to share their challenges and grievances with their leaders and administrators for proper management.’