News
Pupil killed by stray bullet during student unrest in Koboko
Hassan Buruga was killed at about 6:30pm on June 24, 2026, as he walked home from school.
Sources indicate that the bullet struck the boy in the chest as police attempted to disperse rowdy and violent students of St Charles Lwanga College Koboko. (File photo)
By: Jonathan Driliga, Journalist @New Vision
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The community of Gbulagbulanga cell, Teremunga ward in Koboko municipality is mourning the death of a 13-year-old Primary Four pupil of Nuru Islamic Primary School who was allegedly killed by a stray bullet during a student disturbance.
Hassan Buruga was killed at about 6:30pm on June 24, 2026, as he walked home from school.
Sources indicate that the bullet struck the boy in the chest as police attempted to disperse rowdy and violent students of St Charles Lwanga College Koboko, who had reportedly engaged in a post-sports confrontation with students from another school in Koboko municipality.
During the ensuing confrontation with police, three other students are believed to have been injured. The motive behind the students' actions remains unclear.
The community of Gbulagbulanga cell, which neighbours St Charles Lwanga College Koboko, has condemned the recurring student unrest and appealed to all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Musa Andruga Zakaria, the father of the deceased boy, is grieving the loss of his son.
Andruga accused students involved in such disturbances of destabilising peace in surrounding communities and stealing valuables. He urged authorities in Koboko municipality and the district to intervene and restore discipline in the school.
Former parliamentary aspirant for Koboko County Ronald Baiga, also known as Kanaawara, expressed concern over what he described as persistent unrest involving students of St Charles Lwanga College Koboko.
He called for stricter measures, including sanctions against schools whose students engage in violence during co-curricular activities.
The community of Gbulagbulanga cell, which neighbours St Charles Lwanga College Koboko, has condemned the recurring student unrest and appealed to all stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Musa Andruga Zakaria, the father of the deceased boy, is grieving the loss of his son.
Andruga accused students involved in such disturbances of destabilising peace in surrounding communities and stealing valuables. He urged authorities in Koboko municipality and the district to intervene and restore discipline in the school.
Former parliamentary aspirant for Koboko County Ronald Baiga, also known as Kanaawara, expressed concern over what he described as persistent unrest involving students of St Charles Lwanga College Koboko.
He called for stricter measures, including sanctions against schools whose students engage in violence during co-curricular activities.
Baiga urged school administrators to take greater responsibility for student discipline.
He also appealed to security agencies to adopt alternative methods of managing violent disturbances and to refrain from using live ammunition, arguing that it places innocent civilians at risk.
Meanwhile, West Nile regional police spokesperson Josephine Angucia confirmed the incident.
Angucia said security personnel comprising police and UPDF officers responded to reports of a group of rowdy students returning from athletics activities who had allegedly blocked the Koboko-Oraba Road.
According to Angucia, the students began stoning officers and damaging a police patrol vehicle. Security personnel then fired bullets in an effort to disperse the crowd.
She said Hamid Mahazim, 16, a resident of Dikasinga cell in Koboko municipality, sustained an injury to his left foot and is receiving treatment at a health facility.
Angucia said investigations are ongoing under Koboko SD Ref 59/24/06/2026 to establish the cause of the unrest and the circumstances surrounding the death and injuries allegedly caused by stray bullets.
Police have encouraged students to channel their grievances through school leaders and administrators for proper management.
He also appealed to security agencies to adopt alternative methods of managing violent disturbances and to refrain from using live ammunition, arguing that it places innocent civilians at risk.
Meanwhile, West Nile regional police spokesperson Josephine Angucia confirmed the incident.
Angucia said security personnel comprising police and UPDF officers responded to reports of a group of rowdy students returning from athletics activities who had allegedly blocked the Koboko-Oraba Road.
According to Angucia, the students began stoning officers and damaging a police patrol vehicle. Security personnel then fired bullets in an effort to disperse the crowd.
She said Hamid Mahazim, 16, a resident of Dikasinga cell in Koboko municipality, sustained an injury to his left foot and is receiving treatment at a health facility.
Angucia said investigations are ongoing under Koboko SD Ref 59/24/06/2026 to establish the cause of the unrest and the circumstances surrounding the death and injuries allegedly caused by stray bullets.
Police have encouraged students to channel their grievances through school leaders and administrators for proper management.