Police in Kabalagala have arrested 12 Senior One students after a video showing a teenage boy being assaulted by a group of fellow teenagers circulated on social media.
The arrests followed efforts by Police to identify the boys captured in the video attacking the victim in Nakibinge Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala.
Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the 12 suspects are all Senior One students and are minors aged between 14 and 17 years.
The prime suspect, a 16-year-old boy, is the teenager seen in the video punching the victim.
Police said the suspects were arrested on September 17 and 18 following an intelligence-led operation in Nakibinge Zone.
The final arrests were made at about 2:00am on September 18 as detectives continued tracking down the teenagers believed to have been involved in the assault.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the attack happened on September 13 at around 6:00pm in Nakibinge Zone.
The video that circulated on social media shows a group of boys assaulting their fellow teenager, with the 16-year-old prime suspect clearly captured punching the victim.
The footage prompted Police to begin efforts to establish the identities of those involved and determine what exactly happened before, during and after the assault.
The victim, who is also approximately 16 years old, is currently at his mother’s residence in the same area, where he is receiving medical treatment.
Police have not yet disclosed the nature or extent of the injuries suffered by the teenager.
It is also not yet clear what triggered the confrontation or the circumstances that led to the group turning against the victim.
With all 12 suspects now in custody, detectives are expected to question them and establish the individual role played by each teenager in the alleged assault.
Police are also continuing to gather information surrounding the incident as they seek to establish the full circumstances of the attack.
Kawala said the Uganda Police Force strongly condemns acts of violence, especially those involving minors.
She said although the suspects are teenagers, they will be dealt with according to the law and the procedures governing juvenile offenders.
The 12 suspects remain in Police custody as investigations continue.
Police said further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
