By Peter Luzinda
A Senior three student of Excel High School Mukono, Joshua Leon Otim succumbed on Tuesday evening to injuries he suffered following an attack by National Resistance Movement (NRM) Tshirt wearing gangs on the National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine on Saturday in Gulu City.
According to Bobi Wine, Otim succumbed to the extensive injuries he sustained when police and military officers aided by gangs in plain clothes holding machetes and sticks attacked and flogged him together with his supporters as he attempted to campaign in Gulu city.
“Otim’s death underscores the ongoing complicity of the Electoral Commission and all other State institutions mandated to ensure a credible, free and fair electoral process” he posted on his X.
He added, “We extend our sincere sympathies to his family and friends, and demand prompt justice against all those responsible for his death”.
Human rights activist, Obedgiu Samuel who has since condemned Otim’s death noted that the late Joshua, a son to the late Colonel. Anywar Augustine, was allegedly attacked by the hired NRM gang that had early in the morning vandalised and looted properties like sound amplifiers at the venue.
“Joshua was badly beaten on the head and all over the body and was left bleeding and helpless, when he was taken by a well wisher to his home, his single Mother Ms. Abalo Magret rushed him to St. Marys hospital Lacor where a scan was done” he said.
He added, “The medics found out that he had internal bleedings due to a crack on his skull, and in the Lower abdomen following the beatings he received. Today, the boy is dead and those that were hired to hit him and many other NUP supporters, are walking free”.
However the Uganda Police has in a statement said the narrative that Otim died due to a scuffle involving security agencies and Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi are false and baseless and he was rather killed by four boys who are still at large that suspected him to be a thief.
“The truth is that Otim Leon Joshua succumbed to injuries inflicted by those who suspected him of theft. We assure the public that investigations are ongoing, and we are doing everything possible to ensure justice for the deceased and his family”