The Police in Koboko District have arrested four of their own and launched a manhunt for five soldiers over the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old pupil of Nuru Islamic Primary School on Thursday evening, and injuring another of Nyarilo Primary School.
The deceased was identified as Buruga Hassan, a male juvenile, a Kakwa by tribe, and a resident of Gbulabulanga Cell, Teremunga Ward, North Division, Koboko Municipality. 16-year-old Hamid Hazim, also a Kakwa by tribe, sustained injuries on the leg.
West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, SSP Josephine Anguchia, said the case was registered by Boboli Muhammed, the head teacher of Nuru Islamic Primary School in Koboko Municipality, where the incident occurred.
SSP Anguchia said the officers had responded to quell chaos within Koboko Municipality by a section of rowdy students who caused distractions and blocked the Koboko-Oraba road after an athletic competition.
”It’s alleged that, on Wednesday 24th June 2026 at around 6:30pm, Koboko District Community Liaison Officer (CLO) received a phone call from one of the community members within Koboko Municipality about the rowdy students from athletics, who were causing distractions in Koboko town, and blocking the Koboko-Oraba road.”
Adding that: ”He responded with a patrol vehicle of crews on board comprising of three police officers and five UPDF officers, all armed.”
SSP Anguchia said upon reaching the scene, the rowdy students pelted stones at the officers, damaging the police patrol vehicle, which prompted the officers to shoot live bullets in the air to disperse them.
However, in the process, the stray bullets hit one pupil, who died on the spot and injured another on the leg.
Police say a case of murder by shooting is being investigated, noting that relevant steps, including documenting the scene of the crime already been taken.
SSP Anguchia said further investigation points out that the students were also attacking road users.
”Different forensic exhibits were recovered, including three guns, live ammunition, cartridges, blood samples and clothes of the deceased.” She said.
Adding that: ”Four of the suspects who are police officers were charged and detained; meanwhile, the five suspects who are UPDF officers are yet to be identified and charged.”