Katakwi student shot dead by soldiers on patrol

Peter Oduko, the acting DPC Katakwi. Photo by Emmanuel Alomu

The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) personnel on Sunday evening allegedly shot dead a S3 student of Ngariam Seed Secondary School in Ngariam sub-county in Katakwi district.

The Police identified the deceased as George William Ojikan, 22, and a resident of Apeleun village, Osobut parish in Ngariam sub-county, Katakwi.

Peter Oduko, the acting district Police commander (DPC) Katakwi said Ojikan was killed by UPDF who were patrolling on Sunday evening at around 8:00pm.

Oduko explained that the deceased together with his friends were returning from the bush where they had gone to look for charcoal to prepare their food.

"As they approached the house they rented south of the school, they met with UPDF soldiers on patrol. The students on being asked to identify themselves, instead took off. The army mistook them for wrong elements and in a chase fired at them, killing Ojikan on the spot," Oduko said on Monday afternoon.

 Martin Ariko, the director of studies Ngariam Seed Secondary Schoo said Ojikan had been their student from Senior One to Senior Three.

"They are doing exams currently and I last saw him revising during the day. It is unfortunate that he was killed," Ariko said.

Ariko described the deceased as one of the best athletes and hardworking student in the school.

Attempts to get a comment from the UPDF were futile because the known telephone number for the 3^rd division spokesperson was not being answered.