Editorial
Uganda Police Force has dismissed claims by section of opposition politicians linking the death of a 16year old student to violent confrontation and intimidation that marred the campaign visit of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine in Gulu City on Saturday.
Otim Leon Joshua (16), a resident of Customs corner cell in Bardege-Layibi division, Gulu city and a student of Excel high school Mukono, succumbed to injuries sustained on Tuesday from St Mary’s hospital Lacor.
Sections of media and social media users had reported that Otim was a victim of chaotic scenes in Gulu during Kyagulanyi’s campaign rally in Gulu city.
Reports indicate that security personnel, alongside hired civilian youths commonly known as Aguu, dispersed crowds using force, beating up both supporters and journalists who were covering the event.
According to a police statement on their social media platform, the allegation circulating on social media are false and baseless adding that Otim succumbed to injuries inflicted on him on suspicion that he stole a mobile phone.
According to the police statement, the deceased was assaulted by four boys who are currently at large and efforts are underway to apprehend them.
Authorities urged the public to disregard misinformation circulating online and assured the family that investigations are underway to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Meanwhile the Uganda People’s Defence Forces has acknowledged that the chaos that unfolded in Gulu City was “regrettable,” but maintains that the incident resulted from what they described as the candidate’s defiance of an agreed campaign route.
The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, in a press statement on Sunday evening, condemned what he described as a violent confrontation against the presidential candidate in Gulu City.
