The death of 16-year-old Otim Leon Joshua has ignited conflicting accounts in Gulu, with the Uganda Police Force insisting he was killed in a mob attack over alleged phone theft, while sections of the public and opposition supporters argue the circumstances may be tied to political violence that engulfed the city during a Bobi Wine campaign event on the same day.The Uganda Police Force has released a detailed clarification on the incident, stating that Otim, a resident of Customs Corner Cell in Bardeg Layibi Division, left home at around 5:00 p.m. on December 6, informing his mother that he was heading to town. When he did not return by 11:00 p.m., the family grew worried.According to police, at about 5:00 a.m. the next morning two boda boda riders arrived at the family home carrying Otim, who was “badly beaten and unconscious.” The riders allegedly told the mother that Otim had been assaulted at Lailong by four boys who accused him of stealing a mobile phone at around 4:00 a.m.The boy was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, where he was admitted but succumbed to his injuries on December 9 at around midday. Police say statements have been recorded from the mother and the riders, and that the four suspected assailants are currently at large. A manhunt has been launched.Otim was a student at Exel High School in Mukono and had returned home for the holiday period.Police Reject Claims of Political LinkIn its statement, the Uganda Police Force dismissed as “false and baseless” social media claims that Otim’s death was connected to clashes involving security agencies and National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine.Kyagulanyi had been campaigning in Gulu on December 6, the same day Otim disappeared. His rally was marred by violence, with both local and international media reporting injuries to civilians and allegations of excessive force by security personnel. Human-rights organisations and the Uganda Law Society have since called for independent investigations into the incidents surrounding the rally.However, police maintain that Otim’s death resulted from a criminal assault by private individuals and is unrelated to the disturbances at the political event.Doubts and Alternative Accounts PersistDespite the police position, some residents and opposition supporters continue to question whether the incident may have been connected to the volatile political environment that day. They argue that the timing of Otim’s disappearance, the chaos in parts of the city during the Bobi Wine campaign, and the presence of plain-clothed groups reported at the rally raise concerns about the full context of the assault.Human-rights activists have pointed to a pattern of alleged violence against civilians during opposition events across the country, suggesting the need for a more independent and transparent investigation to rule out any political or security-related involvement in Otim’s death.Investigation ContinuesPolice say inquiries are ongoing and have assured the public that they are committed to ensuring justice for Otim and his family. No arrests have yet been made.As Gulu remains tense in the aftermath of both the campaign violence and the teenager’s death, the case underscores the deep mistrust between state agencies and segments of the public during the heated run-up to the 2026 general elections.The post Death Of Gulu Teen Sparks Conflicting Narratives As Police Deny Political Violence Link appeared first on The Insider.