KOLE DISTRICT, UGANDA – The territorial Police in Kole District have opened a General Enquiry File (GEF 010/2026) to investigate circumstances surrounding a fatal shooting that occurred on August 18, 2026, at around 2200 hours at Lwala Trading Centre, Lwala Parish, Ayer Sub-County.
The tragic incident unfolded after a teacher was accused of attempting to defile a 14-year-old pupil, triggering a violent mob reaction that left one civilian dead, two others injured, and a police officer hospitalized.
According to preliminary findings, on the evening of August 18, 2026, at approximately 2100 hours, two unidentified male adults reported to Abilonino Police Post that Okello Otim Samuel, a teacher at Abilonino Demonstration Primary School, had been caught attempting to defile a female pupil at the same school.
Two police officers responded to the scene but were overpowered by an angry mob and confined in the same house with the suspect they had gone to rescue. The officers immediately called for reinforcement from CPS Kole.
A team commanded by the Officer-in-Charge (OC) responded, but upon arrival, the mob became more hostile—pelting stones at the officers. In the chaos, No. 42249 CPL Ojota Alfred was seriously injured, and in the process of defending themselves, some bullets were discharged. Stray bullets killed one person and injured two others.
Deceased has been identified as Aluri Morris, aged 28, a resident of Lwala Trading Centre, Lwala Parish, Ayer Sub-County, Kole District.and another victimsinjured are Odongo James, aged 15, a pupil at Abilonino Primary School,Obong Daniel, aged 23, from the same area and No. 42249 CPL Ojota Alfred, aged 54, a police officer attached to Kole CPS and a resident of Kole Police Barracks
All injured persons are currently receiving treatment at different health facilities.
The teacher, Okello Otim Samuel, was successfully rescued alongside the victim, a 14-year-old female pupil at Abilonino Demonstration Primary School. The suspect has since been charged with Aggravated Defilement and Aggravated Trafficking in Children and is currently in police custody as investigations continue.
Separate cases of Unlawful Wounding and Malicious Damage to the vehicle have also been opened.
The crime scene was visited and documented by a team of officers comprising General Duties, the Homicide Squad, and the District SOCO, led by the DCID Officer Kole. Statements have been recorded from relevant witnesses, and the body of the deceased has been conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital's mortuary pending a postmortem examination.
Patrick Jimmy Okema, Police Spokesperson for the North Kyoga Region, described the incident as deeply unfortunate and condemned the repeated attacks on police officers on official duty.
"This is a very unfortunate incident where on several occasions community members have attacked police officers on official duty. We condemn very strongly acts of violence while responding to cases," Okema stated.
He encouraged locals to apprehend and hand over suspects to the police while supporting investigations for justice to be realized.
"Public officials and others should not take advantage of people under their care to abuse them. We call for calmness and pledge our commitment to investigating this matter to its logical conclusion," he added.
The Police Spokesperson urged the public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course as investigations into the fatal shooting continue.
