Police in Kabalagala have arrested 12 Senior One students following the circulation of a viral social media clip showing a group of boys assaulting a fellow teenager in Nakibinge Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala.
The suspects include a 16-year-old boy identified by police as the prime suspect after he was captured in the footage allegedly punching the victim.
Police said all 12 suspects are Senior One students and are minors aged between 14 and 17 years.
The suspects were arrested on September 17 and 18, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation in Nakibinge Zone. The final arrests were made at about 2am on September 18, according to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala.
She said that police had identified the boy seen repeatedly assaulting the victim in the footage as the prime suspect.
“All the suspects are Senior One students. The prime suspect is aged 16 years, while preliminary investigations have established that the other suspects are also minors, aged between 14 and 17 years,” Kawala said.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the assault took place on September 13 at about 6pm in Nakibinge Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division.
The victim, who is also approximately 16 years old, is currently staying at his mother’s residence in the same area, where he is receiving medical treatment.
Kawala said the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation after police reviewed information arising from the video that circulated widely on social media.
“The suspects were apprehended on September 17 and 18 during an intelligence-led operation conducted in Nakibinge Zone, Kibuli Parish, Makindye Division, Kampala District,” she said.
“The final arrests were effected at approximately 0200hrs on September 18, 2026,” she added.
The 12 suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the assault and determine the individual role played by each suspect.
Kawala said investigators are examining the incident beyond the actions of the teenager captured punching the victim in the video.
“The suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and the respective roles of each suspect,” she said.
She said the fact that the suspects are minors means police will handle the case in accordance with procedures applicable to juvenile offenders.
“The Uganda Police Force strongly condemns acts of violence, particularly those involving minors, and reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the safety and dignity of all persons,” Kawala said.
She added: “Individuals found to have engaged in unlawful conduct will be dealt with in accordance with the law and the applicable procedures governing juvenile offenders.”
Police also appealed for calm as investigations continue, saying further information would be released when it becomes available.
The arrests come amid growing concern over videos of violent incidents involving young people being circulated on social media.
Police said the viral footage played a role in bringing the incident to the attention of authorities, who subsequently launched investigations that led to the arrests.
The case remains under investigation, and the suspects have not yet been convicted of any offence.
