Gulu City — The family of Otim Leon Joshua, a 16-year-old student who died last week after sustaining severe injuries, has received Shs700, 000 from well-wishers.
Otim was laid to rest amid grief, public outcry and sharply conflicting accounts from activists and the police over the circumstances surrounding his death.
Otim, a student of Exel High School in Mukono, had returned to Gulu City for the school holidays and was staying with his mother in Customs Corner Cell, Bardeg Layibi Division. He died on December 9 while receiving treatment at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor.
According to family members and activists, Otim sustained fatal injuries during violence that erupted on December 6 when state security agents dispersed crowds ahead of a planned campaign in Gulu by opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Journalist, lawyer and activist Agather Atuhaire said the family decided to conduct a traditional Acholi burial rather than a religious one. “In Acholi culture, if someone is murdered, we bury them traditionally so that they get justice,” a relative told her.
Atuhaire also disclosed that members of the public raised funds to support Otim’s mother. “I received about 640,000 shillings from some of you and topped it up to 700,000 shillings, which I have sent to the mother. She is grateful, though still very devastated and hoping for justice for her son,” she said, adding that a full accountability statement would be shared later.
However, police have strongly disputed claims linking Otim’s death to political violence or security agencies.
In a statement, police said Otim left home at about 5:00 pm on December 6, telling his mother he was going to town. He did not return that night. At around 5:00 am the next morning, two boda boda riders reportedly brought him home unconscious and badly beaten.
Police allege that Otim was assaulted around 4:00 am in Lailong after being accused of stealing a mobile phone. His mother rushed him to Lacor Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
“Further investigation has confirmed that the deceased was assaulted by four boys who are currently at large,” the statement reads. “Claims circulating on social media suggesting that the deceased died due to a scuffle involving security agencies and Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi are false and baseless.”
Police say statements have been recorded from the mother and the boda boda riders, and efforts are underway to arrest the suspects.
Despite the official account, activists and community members continue to demand an independent investigation, insisting that Otim’s death cannot be separated from the broader pattern of violence reported during the blocked opposition campaign in Gulu.
