13-Year-Old Pupil Killed in Koboko Student Riots

A somber mood has fallen over Koboko Municipality following the death of Buruga Ramathan, a 13-year-old pupil from Nuru Islamic Primary School. Ramathan was a victim of stray bullets fired by security forces on Wednesday as they attempted to quell a riot involving students from St. Charles Lwanga College and Kochi Secondary School.

The unrest, reportedly sparked by a football match rivalry, escalated into street confrontations, with students blocking the vital Koboko-Oraba road. A joint force of police and army personnel was deployed by Resident District Commissioner Emmy Mitala to restore order.

According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia, the situation turned violent when “rowdy students started stoning the officers and damaging the patrol vehicle.” In response, officers discharged their firearms to disperse the crowd, resulting in the accidental death of Ramathan.

Two other students, Hamid Mahazim, 16, and Khalifah Rajab, a Senior Four student at Nyarilo Secondary School, sustained injuries from stray bullets. They are currently receiving medical attention at facilities including Koboko Hospital.

Police have strongly condemned the student-led violence, labeling such strikes as “illegal, destructive, and fatal.” SSP Angucia urged students to channel their grievances through established leadership and administrative channels for peaceful resolution. An official investigation into the incident has been opened by the police under SD Ref 59/24/06/2026.

This incident highlights the potential dangers when student disputes spill into public spaces and security forces are called upon to intervene. The local administration is working to ensure all injured parties receive adequate care and that accountability is established. The community mourns the loss of a young life and calls for a more peaceful approach to resolving student-related conflicts.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)