Before dawn on Monday, what began as another day of hard work for a final-year student at the University of Juba ended in tragedy after he was allegedly shot by suspected robbers who stole his motorcycle in Thongpiny, Juba.
John Uchalla Ukel, a final-year Medical Laboratory Sciences student, was working as a boda boda rider to support his education, assist his family and meet his daily living expenses while pursuing his degree.
According to reports, Uchalla left Ramciel Hostel on the University of Juba campus early Monday morning to begin work.
He later picked up two men who reportedly requested a ride to Thongpiny.
Upon reaching their destination, the suspects allegedly turned on him, shooting him in the stomach before stealing his motorcycle and fleeing the scene.
Good Samaritans rushed the injured student to hospital, but he later succumbed to excessive bleeding.
The killing has sparked grief among fellow students and renewed concerns over the security of boda boda riders in Juba, many of whom rely on the business as their primary source of income despite growing risks of violent attacks.
Paying tribute to the deceased, his colleague Emmanuel Pinyi described Uchalla as a determined and hardworking young man whose life was cut short while striving for a better future.
“John was not just a student. He was a hardworking young man who rode a boda boda to pay his tuition, support his family and pursue a better future,” Pinyi said.
He added that the incident reflects the dangers many young people face as they struggle to earn a living.
“Many innocent people continue to lose their lives, while countless others risk everything every day riding boda bodas just to survive,” he said.
The incident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of commercial motorcycle riders in Juba, who have increasingly become targets of armed criminals seeking to steal motorcycles.
By the time of publication, police had not issued an official statement on the incident or announced any arrests. Authorities said investigations into the fatal shooting were ongoing.
