Busia, November 3, 2026 — A 14-year-old schoolboy was shot dead after an anti-smuggling operation by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) enforcement officers turned violent at Buhobe Trading Centre in Busia District.
The victim, Dominic Wejuli, a Primary Four pupil at Buhobe Primary School, was caught in the confrontation on Tuesday in Bulumbi Sub-county.
Witnesses said gunfire broke out during an encounter between URA officers and suspected smugglers, sending residents and traders scrambling for safety.
Wejuli reportedly ran into a nearby tea house to escape the shooting but was struck by a bullet. He died from his injuries.
Two other people, including a pregnant woman and a local landlord, were also reportedly shot and injured during the incident.
The killing sparked outrage in the area, with residents and members of the boy’s family reportedly taking his body to the URA checkpoint offices at Busitema to protest and demand accountability.
Relatives said the pupil had no involvement in the alleged smuggling activities and was simply trying to find shelter when the shooting occurred.
The officers involved were reportedly attached to a URA enforcement unit based in neighbouring Namayingo District.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and establish what happened during the operation.
The incident has once again raised questions about the protection of civilians during enforcement activities in border communities, particularly when operations escalate into confrontations involving firearms.
