news 27 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
West Nile School Unrest: Police Investigate Officers in Fatal Pupil Shooting
Four police officers are in custody and five soldiers are being sought following the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old pupil during a student riot in West Nile. The incident has reignited debate over persistent school strikes and hooliganism in the region. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/west-nile-school-unrest-sparks-fury-as-police-probe-security-officers-over-deadly-shooting-5511330
Tragedy struck in West Nile when a 13-year-old primary school pupil, Ramathan Buruga Hassan, was fatally shot by stray ammunition during a violent student riot on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Chaos erupted when students from St. Charles Lwanga College Koboko blocked the Koboko-Oraba Road, disrupting traffic and engaging in clashes with rival students from Kochi Secondary School.
Security forces responded to quell the protest using tear gas and live ammunition. During the operation, Hassan, a pupil at Nuru Islamic Primary School, was hit by a stray bullet and died. Three other individuals sustained serious gunshot wounds, including Khalifah Rajab, 18, who was shot in the hand while trying to retrieve his phone from a roadside charging point.
West Nile Police Spokesperson, SP Josephine Angucia, confirmed that formal inquiries have been launched. Four police officers involved in the operation have been detained at Koboko Central Police Station, while five UPDF soldiers who were also present are being sought by authorities. Charges under investigation include murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, and neglect of duty.
The incident has fueled anger and concern among residents, with many highlighting a recurring pattern of security-related violence and school disturbances in the region. Families of the victims face significant financial and emotional distress.
Local leaders are calling for drastic measures to address the persistent school strikes and hooliganism. Proposals include a moratorium on inter-school sports competitions within Koboko District and calls for the prosecution of school administrators for negligence. Concerns about the impact on the region’s socio-economic future and the potential for increased substance abuse among students have also been raised.
Police are reviewing the matter of compensation for the victims’ families, with further administrative arrangements to be announced in due course.