A 16-year-old student, Joshua Leon Otim of Excell High School in Mukono District, has died from injuries he sustained during violent clashes in Gulu City on December 6, 2025.
The incident occurred when gangs, police officers and UPDF soldiers reportedly confronted National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters and their presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, who was in the city for a campaign rally ahead of the 2026 General Election.
Otim passed away on Tuesday afternoon at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu City, where he had been receiving treatment.
According to his mother, Margret Acan, Otim was struck on the head with a blunt object and slipped into a coma following the attack. His body has since been taken to Gulu Military Hospital for a postmortem examination.
No arrests have been made in connection with the violent incident. Police earlier stated that investigations were underway into the clashes, which also left several NUP supporters injured, including Kyagulanyi’s close associate Daniel Oyirwoth, popularly known as Sir Dan Magic.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kyagulanyi expressed deep sorrow over Otim’s death, attributing it to what he described as a coordinated attack involving police, military officers and plain-clothed gangs wielding machetes and sticks.
He said Otim’s death highlights what he called the continued failure of the Electoral Commission and other state institutions to guarantee a credible, free and fair electoral process.
He extended condolences to the student’s family and friends and called for swift justice against those responsible.
