Mother of 15-year-old boy killed by Ugandan police awarded Ksh.1.96M compensation

The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was killed during violent protests that gripped Uganda's capital city Kampala in November 2020 has been awarded compensation.

Amos Ssegawa, a Senior Two student at Lubiri High School in Buloba, met an untimely demise when he was struck by a stray bullet as security forces attempted to quell the protests that erupted following the arrest of then-presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine.

The Kampala High Court has ordered the Ugandan government to pay Ssegawa’s mother, Hajara Nakitto, a sum of 50 million Ugandan Shillings (approximately Ksh.1.96 million).

Speaking to the country’s media outlets, Nakitto vividly recalled the harrowing events of the fateful day, saying she and her son were walking together when soldiers reportedly opened fire indiscriminately, leaving the boy fatally wounded.

The immediate aftermath of the incident saw Spark TV Journalist Joseline Nakibuule, who was on assignment, step in to assist the wounded boy.

“I forgot that I was a journalist. What came to my mind was that I am a mother, and I am now helping a son,” Nakibuule said.

“I still remember him trying to look at me. I don’t know if that is something I am going to forget today or tomorrow.”

Ssegawa was rushed to Mengo Doctors Clinic, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

He had suffered a gunshot wound that shattered the right side of his mouth and exited through the right side of his neck. 

Nakitto, facing the tragic loss of her son, turned to authorities for compensation.

She sought legal recourse, petitioning the court for 200 million Ugandan Shillings (approx. Ksh.7.8 million) in compensation and an additional 5 million Shillings (approx. Ksh.196,907) in punitive damages.

The court verdict issued on Tuesday, September 26, ordering the government to pay her 50 million Shillings (Ksh.1.96 million), granted Nakitto a measure of justice. 

 “The country was in a state of confusion as a result of riots in different parts of the country and yet it was a campaign period of the 2021 elections. It could not be possible for the applicant or her deceased son to identify who fired a stray bullet which ended his life,” Justice Ssekaana ruled.

“This court could not place such a heavy burden to prove the shooting was either by a soldier or policeman. I hereby find this issue in the affirmative and declare that respondent’s soldiers/officers’ shooting and killing of the applicant’s son violated the deceased’s fundamental right to life contrary to Articles 20 (2) and 22 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, 1995.”

In response to the unrest, President Yoweri Museveni had pledged compensation to the families of those killed during the protests, provided they were not involved in the rioting.