One person was critically injured as the police used gunfire to disperse a violent crowd attempting to stop a night disco at Kiiri trading centre in Romogi sub-county, Yumbe district. Romogi LC3 chairperson, Muhammad Pagu, identified the injured person as 20-year-old Saffi Apelli from Kippe village, Lochombo parish.
Pagu explained that the sub-county had a bylaw prohibiting night discos, and despite this, the youth organized a disco on New Year’s Day without seeking permission. The local police officer attempted to negotiate with the organizers around 10:00 pm on January 1, 2024, but the agreement fell through. Subsequently, two police officers went to stop the disco around 2:00 am on January 2, 2024, but faced an overwhelming and violent crowd, leading them to fire shots in the air.
The injured victim was taken to Bidibidi Health Centre III, then transferred to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital and later to Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
Acting spokesperson for North West Nile Police region, Ignatius Dragundu, identified the involved police officers as PC Geoffrey Oloya and PC Ochaya Andrew from Romogi Police post. The officers were arrested and detained at Yumbe Central Police Station, charged with unlawful shooting of civilians.
Dragundu reported that, aside from the incident in Yumbe, the festival season celebrations concluded peacefully in other North West Nile districts, including Obongi, Moyo, and Adjumani.
