Yumbe, Uganda: A 35-year-old South Sudanese refugee has been brutally killed in a midnight attack at Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, sparking fear and tension among residents.
The deceased, identified as Boni Charles, was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Village 18, Block 18, Zone 05 in Bidibidi, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
According to West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson SP Collins Asea, the incident occurred at around 12:30 a.m. when unknown assailants knocked on the victim’s door.
Upon opening, Charles was reportedly grabbed and dragged outside, where he was violently attacked.
His wife told police that about six men assaulted him using sticks, inflicting severe head injuries that caused fatal bleeding. “She saw a group of about six men beating her husband, and one of them was armed with a pistol,” SP Asea said, adding that the attackers also robbed the widow of her phone before fleeing the scene.
Despite raising alarm, the victim’s wife reportedly received no immediate help from neighbors as the attack unfolded.
Police later found the body lying in a pool of blood, with a deep head injury. A live round of pistol ammunition was recovered from the scene, suggesting the attackers may have been armed.
Officers from Yumbe Police Station, led by the Officer in Charge, responded to the scene, documented evidence, and recorded witness statements.
The body was transported to Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital for postmortem examination.
Police have registered the case as Murder by Hacking (CRB 178/2026) and say investigations are ongoing to establish the motive and identify the attackers.
SP Asea has appealed to members of the public to provide any information that could aid in tracking down the suspects.
The killing has heightened insecurity concerns within Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, where thousands of refugees reside.
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