A 13-year-old Primary Four pupil has died after being hit by a stray bullet during a student riot in Koboko Municipality.
The victim has been identified as Buruga Ramathan, a pupil at Nuru Islamic Primary School. He was a resident of Gbulagbulanga cell.
Police said Ramathan died instantly during the chaos on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Two other students also sustained gunshot injuries and are receiving treatment at different health facilities, including Koboko Hospital.
Football Dispute Sparks Student Violence
The unrest started after a confrontation between students of St. Charles Lwanga College and Kochi Secondary School.
Authorities said the tension followed a recent football match between the schools.
The rivalry later moved into the streets on Wednesday morning. Students blocked the busy Koboko-Oraba road, disrupting movement in the municipality.
Emmy Mitala, the Resident District Commissioner for Koboko, said a joint team of the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF was deployed to restore order.
Police Say Officers Were Stoned
West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SSP Josephine Angucia said the students became violent after security officers arrived at the scene.
“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,” SSP Angucia said.
Police identified the injured students as 16-year-old Hamid Mahazim, who was wounded in the left foot, and Khalifah Rajab, a Senior Four student at Nyarilo Secondary School.
Authorities said both students are undergoing treatment.
Police Open Investigation
Police have condemned the violence and opened an investigation into the incident under SD Ref 59/24/06/2026.
SSP Angucia warned students against violent strikes, saying such actions can lead to serious consequences.
“We condemn acts of strikes by students because they are not only illegal but can be destructive and fatal,” SSP Angucia said.
She urged students to use peaceful channels to raise their concerns.
“We encourage students to share their challenges and grievances with their leaders and administrators for proper management,” she added.
The fatal shooting has raised concern in Koboko Municipality, where the school rivalry turned into a deadly public order incident.
