A tragic incident rocked Rusugo Village in Dranya Subcounty, Koboko District, after a suspected bomb explosion claimed the life of a 5-year-old boy on Saturday afternoon.
The deceased, identified as Junior Joseph, a pupil at Anyangako Primary School, had reportedly left his home around 4pm on April 26, 2025, to visit his uncle, located about 100 meters away.
According to witness accounts, Junior was seen playing alone in his uncle’s compound after other children had dispersed from a mango-picking session nearby.
Amania, the wife of Junior’s uncle, recounted seeing the young boy handling an unfamiliar object before a sudden explosion threw him about 20 meters from where he had been playing.
Alarmed by the blast, she rushed to Junior’s side, only to find him unconscious and bleeding heavily from facial injuries.
The incident drew a crowd of concerned locals, and the boy was quickly transported to Koboko Hospital.
He was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Police at Koboko Central Police Station registered the case and immediately launched an investigation.
During the operation, officers also conducted a community sensitization exercise, urging residents to avoid handling suspicious objects and instead report them promptly to local leaders or police.
Special emphasis was placed on educating children about the dangers of unknown objects, following the heartbreaking death of Joseph Junior.
Investigations into the source and nature of the explosive device are ongoing.
