Oumolao clan members sentenced to 20 months for torture

Amolatar| The Grade One Magistrate Court in Amolatar has sentenced the people who assaulted Akwir Annet and her uncle.

The court, presided over by Dokolo Grade One Magistrate, found the defendants guilty of the crime of torture.

Sam Omunu, the speaker of the Oumolao clan; Alex Awena, the vice clan chief; Tonny Alyeno, James Okwir; Bonny Ocen, the LC1 chairperson of Acan Makicinge village; and Darius Ojok, his defense secretary, are among those sentenced to 20 months each.

When they arrived at the dock, the charges were read to them, and they all admitted their involvement.

They were apprehended after a video surfaced on Monday showing the victim, Annet Akwir, being beaten with sticks and having one man step on her head in Acan Makicinga village, Opali sub-county.

In the two-minute video, the victim is seen being physically assaulted by men who lash her with sticks.

According to reports, Akwir and her uncle, Nelson Opon, were subjected to this violent act by clan members who allegedly carried out their leaders’ orders to commit incest.

The incident is said to have happened on the night of November 17, 2024, when Akwir noticed movement outside her home.

After checking, she discovered her uncle, Opon, who reportedly requested drinking water before entering her home.

Akwir’s brother, Solomon Okello, later discovered Opon’s bicycle outside the house, raising suspicions and setting off an alarm that mobilized the clan.

The two victims were allegedly locked inside the house overnight and accused of sexual misconduct. The following morning, clan leader James Okwir reportedly ordered Akwir’s beating, which resulted in 20 lashes and a shs60,000 fine.

LC1 chairperson Bonny Ocen, who also appeared in the video, ordered additional punishment, with both victims receiving 20 more lashings each.

The case was reported to the Amolatar Central Police Station, and a torture case was filed.

SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police PRO, had previously condemned the actions, describing them as a “barbaric approach” to discipline.

Police have issued Akwir with medical forms, and efforts are underway to locate the male victim, Opon.

“This is a very barbaric approach to disciplining family members, even if they are suspected of wrongdoing. We strongly condemn this act and are committed to leaving no stone unturned in this investigation,” said SP Okema.

Incest is explicitly prohibited in Uganda by Section 149 of the Penal Code Act, which criminalizes sexual intercourse between closely related people.

Those who are involved with victims under the age of 18 face severe penalties, including life in prison. In addition to legal ramifications, incest is regarded as a serious cultural taboo in many Ugandan communities, frequently leading to ostracization.

In the Lango community, where the incident occurred, incest is punishable by cultural leaders, often with ritualistic consequences.