Oyam woman, 43, raped and murdered. What do the cops say?

Oyam | Police in the Oyam district have intensified their investigation into the mysterious death of a 43-year-old woman.

Betty Acio, a resident of Wanglobo village, Angu parish, was discovered hanging from a tree at Dele Primary School, Iceme sub-county, Oyam district.

It is claimed that Acio recently returned to her parents’ home after divorcing her husband, with whom she produced five children. 

The deceased, according to the locals, struggled with binge drinking.

On Monday, May 13, 2024, Walter Ocan, the LC1 chairperson of Dele B, Awungu parish, Iceme, confirmed the incident to tndNews.

 “The members of the community found the body of the deceased aged 43 hanging on a tree but we later discovered that the deceased was attacked by some yet unknown wrong doers who allegedly murdered her,” Ocan added.

According to Ocan, the deceased set up camp at Dele Trading Centre earlier that day, where she later met the suspects.

 “She met with the suspects late at night who later allegedly raped and murdered,” he said.

Ocan added that the deceased belonged to the Palamyek clan.

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Denise Ego, a resident of the same area, stated that approximately 300 people had gathered at Dele Primary School to observe police operations that resulted in the arrest of four suspects.

Meanwhile, the North Kyoga Region Police PRO, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, confirmed the incident.

“It is unfortunate that her life was brutally taken. Preliminary findings indicate that the victim was gang-raped, murdered, and her body was found hanging from a tree,” Okema said.

According to police, investigators from Oyam Central Police Station documented the scene while detectives investigated the circumstances surrounding the deceased’s death.

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“Our team rushed to the scene, the body has been removed and conveyed to Anyeke Health Center IV pending post-mortem examination,” Okema added.

Okema also confirmed the arrest of four suspects to aid in investigations into murder charges against them.

The suspects detained at Oyam Central Police Station have been identified as Denis Adwere, James Akwanga, James Otim, and Bonny Ocen.

“As Police, we want to appeal for calmness from the relatives of the deceased. We are closely investigating the case and shall ensure justice is served to the grieving family,” Okema told tndNews in an interview.