Officials say Easter party dispute sparked Apac school attack

Investigations into a suspected night attack on an Apac secondary school have taken a new turn, with district officials now linking the violence to a dispute that erupted between students and youths from the surrounding community during an Easter gathering.

Initial reports suggested that unknown assailants had stormed Apac Seed Secondary School on April 5, 2026, and attacked students. However, after a night-long investigation, authorities say the violence was triggered by a dispute that began outside the school premises.

Apac deputy resident district commissioner Richard Kar Tabaaro on Tuesday (April 7) said the confrontation originated in nearby Agweng trading centre, where students had mingled with local youths during Easter celebrations.

“This was a fight between the students of the school and young boys from the surrounding village. The problem is partly with school management,” Tabaaro said. “The school is only partially fenced, and students, especially boarders, often move out to attend parties and social functions in the trading centre.”

According to Tabaaro, tensions flared on Easter Sunday night after schoolboys reportedly escorted female students back to the school, preventing them from dancing with village youths.

“The boys from the village objected, saying, ‘You have taken yours, you cannot dance with ours.’ That disagreement escalated,” he said.

Outnumbered in the initial confrontation, the village youths reportedly retreated, armed themselves with pangas, and returned to attack the students.

A joint security team comprising district leaders, police, and Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) arrived at the scene at around 4:00 am on Easter Monday and spent the day investigating. Seven suspects were initially picked up, with four later identified as having directly participated in the violence.

Tabaaro accused the school administration of attempting to conceal the circumstances leading to the clash.

“Teachers were trying to hide the negative side. They claimed students had gone to fetch water at night, but evidence from the community and local leaders pointed to a different story,” he said.

Local residents also voiced frustration, accusing students of indiscipline, including frequenting social events uninvited and engaging in disruptive behaviour.

Conflicting accounts

However, the school’s headteacher, James Akeba, maintained that the students were attacked by unknown individuals while attempting to fetch water from a borehole located just outside the school fence after a talent show.

“They encountered a group armed with pangas and knives near the girls’ dormitory. The attackers cut some of them while others escaped and raised alarm,” Akeba said.

He acknowledged, however, that conflicting accounts had emerged and pledged to follow up with police to establish the truth.

“I cannot deny that some students may have gone out without permission. Handling this age group is not simple,” he added.

Investigators have since widened the probe, with a joint security team arresting 11 suspects in connection with the incident. (Credit: Hudson Apunyo)

Police identified the injured students as Ivan Ojok Okabo (S4), Jonathan Alele (S3), Jonathan Oyile (S4), Sam Ocen (S4), Bruce Awany (S4), Ronald Odongo (S3), and Bonny Odur. most of the victims have since been discharged, with only one still admitted.

The incident has reignited concerns over student discipline and school security, particularly in institutions with incomplete fencing and limited supervision.

Police statement

The police on Tuesday issued a fresh statement, offering updated findings into the incident and reinforcing earlier accounts that the violence stemmed from a dispute between students and local youth.

“Preliminary findings indicate that earlier in the day, the school management had organised a talent show followed by a musical dance within the school premises,” North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said, adding that some students later moved to Agweng trading centre for leisure.

“It is alleged that while at the trading centre, a misunderstanding arose between the students and local youth over disagreements related to girls, which escalated into a physical fight,” Okema stated.

The students reportedly retreated back to the school, but the youths regrouped and returned armed. Police confirmed that the attackers confronted students near a small gate close to the girls’ dormitories.

Investigators have since widened the probe, with a joint security team arresting 11 suspects in connection with the incident.

“A total of eleven suspects, including nine males and two females, were arrested in connection with the incident,” Okema said, noting that four were positively identified by the victims.

Police also recovered exhibits, including knives, mobile phones and items believed to have been left at the scene. Additional searches led to the recovery of suspected narcotics and military-related items from one suspect, Walter Beja's residence.

His brother, Vincent Odongo, a retired UPDF Staff Sergeant was subsequently arrested over impersonating a retired Major. 

“Preliminary investigations indicate that this was not a targeted attack on the school but rather a retaliatory incident arising from a conflict between students and local youths at a disco in Agweng trading centre,” Okema said.

Investigations remain ongoing.