By Eye Media Uganda | Kole | August 19, 2026
One person was killed and three others injured on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after a mob reportedly attacked police officers responding to an alleged defilement case at Lwala Trading Centre in Ayer Sub-county, Kole District.
The deceased has been identified as Aluri Morris, 28, a resident of Lwala Trading Centre. Police said he was hit by a stray bullet during the confrontation.
The incident reportedly started at about 9:00pm when two unidentified men reported at Abilonino Police Post that a teacher, Okello Otim Samuel, had been caught by residents while allegedly attempting to defile a pupil of Abilonino Demonstration Primary School.
Two police officers were dispatched to rescue the suspect, but they were allegedly overpowered by the mob and locked inside a house together with him.
A reinforcement team from Kole Central Police Station, led by the Officer in Charge of the station, was subsequently dispatched to the scene.
Police said the mob turned violent and pelted the officers with stones, seriously injuring CPL Ojota Alfred, 54.
During the chaos, bullets were discharged, with stray bullets reportedly killing Aluri and injuring Odongo James, 15, a pupil at Abilonino Primary School, and Obong Daniel, 23.
The injured, including CPL Ojota, were rushed to different health facilities for treatment.
Police eventually rescued the teacher and the 14-year-old pupil allegedly involved in the case. Okello was taken into custody as investigations into allegations of aggravated defilement and aggravated trafficking in children continue.
Police have also opened GEF 010/2026 to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. Separate inquiries into unlawful wounding and malicious damage to a police vehicle have also been instituted.
A team of detectives, including homicide officers and the District Scene of Crime Officer, visited and examined the scene under the supervision of the District CID officer.
Aluri’s body was taken to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
North Kyoga Region Police Spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema condemned the attack on police officers and urged communities to desist from mob violence.
“This is a very unfortunate incident where on several occasions community members have attacked police officers on official duty,” Okema said.
He urged residents who apprehend suspects to hand them over to police and cooperate with investigations instead of resorting to violence.
Okema also cautioned public officials against abusing people placed under their care and appealed for calm as investigations into the incident continue.
