Police in Amuru has said the rumoured death of Oola Brian, a 17 year old boda boda cyclist whose reported death triggered attacks by locals on charcoal dealers in Amuru district last month is ‘‘live.’’
Oola mysteriously disappeared on 8th June as he was transporting two charcoal burners to Opiro village. Word spread in Pabbo that he had been killed prompting locals to arm themselves with sticks and attack the charcoal burners in the forest. Most of the attacked where from other parts of Uganda most notably central Uganda. The attack left one dead and 32 injured.
However, Julius Ahisimbwe, the Amuru district police commander told Acholi Times on Wednesday that they believe Oola is alive.
‘‘We have clues that Oola is still alive but for investigation purposes we cannot discuss with the media,’’ Ahisimbwe said.
By local accounts in Pabbo, Oola Brian was last seen on the 8th of last month ferrying two charcoal burners with a saw machine.
When he disappeared, locals suspected that he had been killed by his passengers who he was carrying on motorcycle registration number UAY 433Z.
Okema Decosta, brother to Oola and owner of the motorcycle, said (when?) the family has lost hope as it is now more than a month since Oola disappeared.
‘‘We have lost hope, all we are trying to do is find his body wherever it is so that he is given a decent burial,’’ said Okema.
Okema asked government and local authorities in the district to help the family to locate Oola’s whereabouts.
