The arrests follow an appeal by university spokesperson Ojok James Onono for security chiefs to strengthen policing in Gulu City, warning that violent street gangs threaten students’ lives and the city’s education-driven economy.
Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a Gulu University student, as security agencies intensify operations following growing concerns about violent street gangs in Gulu City.
The suspects, aged 17 and 18, are reportedly residents of Agwee Cell, Agwee Ward, Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City. They were arrested over the killing of Ngire John Bosco, a second-year student in the Faculty of Education and Humanities, who was murdered on October 10 in an incident allegedly linked to street gangs commonly known as Aguu.
In a statement issued on October 17, Gulu University said police and other security agencies had made significant progress in investigating the killing, with the suspects participating in a crime-scene reconstruction exercise.
The exercise, conducted on October 17, involved police crime-scene investigators, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Police Crime Intelligence and the Internal Security Organisation. It was coordinated by Gulu City Central Police Commander SP Joseph Karugaba.
According to the university, the suspects reportedly demonstrated how Ngire was allegedly attacked repeatedly with a hammer. The deceased’s shoes were also reportedly recovered from the family home of the suspect who claims to be 17 years old.
Police have indicated their intention to prefer murder charges against the suspects under case reference CRB 521/2026.
The arrests come days after James Ojok Onono, the university’s communications officer and spokesperson, appealed to security chiefs to urgently intervene in Gulu City to address insecurity blamed on Aguu gangs.
In an opinion published by Nile Post, Onono warned that the threat extended beyond phone theft and street crime to the safety of students, the livelihoods of residents and the economic prospects of a city whose growth is closely linked to higher education.
“The cost of ignoring Aguu is no longer merely stolen phones or fear on the streets. It is the loss of lives, the threat to livelihoods and the possible erosion of Gulu City's future,” Onono wrote.
He cited the October 10 murder of Ngire, alongside the reported killing of university staff member Chris Nyeko in May 2026 and an alleged violent attack on a female Biosystems Engineering student, as incidents requiring urgent security intervention.
Onono called on security chiefs, the Uganda Police Force, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other relevant authorities to assess Gulu’s security needs and provide adequate operational resources, particularly vehicles and logistical support for night patrols.
He argued that shortages of vehicles and other resources could undermine security teams’ ability to respond promptly to emergencies, patrol vulnerable areas and deter criminal activity.
The university’s latest statement indicates that security agencies have taken steps to strengthen operations. According to the institution, the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, dispatched two vehicles to Gulu to boost the operational capacity of Gulu Central Police Station and the Pece-Laroo Division.
The university also commended Aswa West Regional Police Commander SSP Fred Ahimbisibwe for coordinating support with police headquarters in Kampala and praised the Gulu City Security Committee, led by Resident City Commissioner Onorio Ambrose, for acting on commitments to improve student safety.
On October 12, the university’s top management, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor George Ladaah Openjuru, met Ambrose to discuss security challenges affecting students.
The following day, the university convened an emergency security general assembly with students, during which university leaders and the city security team reaffirmed their commitment to bringing those responsible for Ngire’s murder to justice.
Ngire was buried on October 15 in Tororo District, with university staff and students attending the burial to pay their respects and stand in solidarity with his family.
Onono’s appeal was rooted partly in the economic significance of Gulu University, which he said admitted approximately 7,000 students for the 2026 academic year.
Their demand for accommodation, food, transport, internet access and other services supports landlords, traders, transport operators and other businesses across the city.
He warned that persistent insecurity could discourage parents from sending their children to study in Gulu, drive customers away from businesses and cause investors to reconsider their plans.
The university has welcomed the arrests but urged security agencies to continue pursuing justice in Ngire’s case. It also called for renewed investigations into the May 2026 murder of former staff member Chris Nyeko, saying it had not received an update on the case.
Gulu University said it remained committed to working with police, the UPDF, the city security committee, local leaders and students to improve safety across the university community.
The institution also expressed hope that additional support, including an anticipated vehicle for the university police station, would be provided to strengthen security operations.
The university said it would follow Ngire’s case to its conclusion as investigations continue.