Police at Kabalagala have arrested 12 students following the circulation of a video on social media showing a group of boys assaulting a fellow teenager in Kampala.
The suspects, all Senior One students, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted in Nakibinge Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala District, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SP Racheal Kawala.
Police said the arrests were carried out on September 17 and 18, with the final suspects apprehended at about 2am on September 18.
The prime suspect, who is allegedly seen punching the victim in the video, is aged 16. Preliminary investigations indicate that the other suspects are also minors aged between 14 and 17.
Police said the assault occurred on September 13 at about 6pm in Nakibinge Zone.
The victim, who is also approximately 16 years old, is currently staying at his mother’s residence in the same area, where he is receiving medical treatment.
The 12 suspects remain in police custody as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the individual roles of each suspect.
Police said the investigation would take into account the procedures applicable to juvenile offenders.
“The Uganda Police Force strongly condemns acts of violence, particularly those involving minors,” Kawala said in the statement.
Police said it remains committed to protecting the safety and dignity of all persons and ensuring that anyone found to have engaged in unlawful conduct is dealt with according to the law.
The arrests come amid growing concern over videos of violent incidents involving young people being shared on social media, raising questions about the circumstances in which such assaults occur and how schools, parents and authorities respond when they are recorded and circulated online.
Police said further information would be released as investigations progress.
