By Nathan Eyagu
Kumi District — Hundreds of mourners from across the country gathered in Agule, Kumi County, today to pay their final respects to Gabriel Okiror, a senior three student at Teso Progressive Academy (TEPA), who was tragically shot dead earlier this week at his school.
The atmosphere at the burial ceremony was heavy with grief and sorrow, as relatives, fellow students, teachers, and community leaders came together to mourn the young student’s untimely death.
The fatal shooting occurred on 18th November 2025, when a confrontation arose between Gabriel Okiror and a joint security team from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force. According to police reports, Okiror allegedly resisted arrest during an operation to recover stolen property, which led to an altercation in which he was fatally shot.
A teacher, Bernard Majja, who tried to intervene, was also injured in the incident and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Authorities have confirmed that an investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with a manhunt underway for the personnel involved.
According to reports, the TEPA school administration, alongside the UPDF, contributed financially to the burial, with the school providing UGX 10.5 million and the UPDF donating UGX 5 million to support funeral arrangements.
Lt. Gen. Sam Okiding, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, expressed deep regret over the incident, describing it as “a tragic loss” and pledged that the responsible officers would face justice.
As investigations continue, the Teso community remains united in grief, while also demanding accountability and measures to ensure the safety of students across the country.
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