KOLE DISTRICT – A post-campaign rally clean-up turned tragic on Thursday evening when a live electric wire electrocuted a young boda boda rider, killing him instantly and critically injuring three others.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 PM at the Aculubanya Primary School playground in Kole Town Council, according to police.
The deceased has been identified as Onuma Isaac, 24, a boda boda rider from Teokwar Village, Kole Town Council. The injured victims are Alima Brian, 22, Ogwang Emmanuel, 22, both from Teokwar Village, and Okello James, 25, from Abuki Village, Ayer Sub-county. All three are currently receiving treatment at Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
Preliminary findings from the Territorial Police at Kole Station indicate that the tragedy unfolded as the group was dismantling tents hired for a campaign rally held earlier in the day. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) executive of Kole District had hired the tents from one Grace Ogweng.
“After the function, the deceased and the victims were engaged in removing the tents when a live electric wire accidentally came into contact with the metal poles supporting the tents, resulting in electrocution,” stated a police report.
The Kole District Police have registered the case under reference Kole DEF 001/2026. According to a statement released by SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Police Relations Officer for North Kyoga Region, a general inquiry file has been opened to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Statements have been recorded from eyewitnesses. The body of the deceased was conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary pending postmortem examination,” SP Okema confirmed.
The incident was first reported to police at around 6:00 PM via a telephone call from the GISO (Gombolola Internal Security Officer) of Aboke Town Council.
The community of Teokwar Village and the wider Kole District are in mourning following the sudden death of the young rider. The incident has also raised immediate concerns about public safety during large gatherings and the erection of temporary structures near power lines.
Authorities have promised to communicate further details as the investigation progresses.
