Suspected food poisoning kills two Lira district pupils 

Police in Lira district have begun an investigation into the sudden deaths of two juveniles in Ayere village, Ayami sub-county.

The crime, which included the murder of two other adults by a mob, took place on December 19, 2024, around 10 a.m. in Acutkumu parish, Ayami, Lira District.

North Kyoga Region Police PRO, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema has identified the young victims as 16-year-old Ocuku Raymond. He was a P6 pupil at Acutkumu Primary School, and Ocwa Abel was 11.

Ocwa attended Acutkumu Primary School and was in P3.

Akullo Janet and Lingo Sam alias Ajari, the two suspects murdered by the mob, were suspected of killing the juveniles.

SP Okema said that police rescued another suspect, Ojok Martin, from the mob.

“Other suspects include Okol Omara and Ojok David, who are still at large.”

On December 19, 2024, the OC CID Lira District received notification of a sudden death in Ayami sub-county.

According to SP Okema, a team led by the deputy OC CID arrived at the scene right away, followed by the acting DPC, OC CID, RDC Lira, and other stakeholders.

The SOCO documented the crime scene. “While police officers and other stakeholders were on the scene, the mob became unruly and began beating people suspected of being involved in the deaths of the two young boys listed above.

“However, Ojok Martin alias Obwoye, 36, was rescued from the mob and rushed to Ogur Health Center IV for treatment.”

During the fracas, District CID officer Lira D/ASP Achora Molly was injured and taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center for treatment.

Initial reports

Preliminary findings indicate that Ojok Martin allegedly gave the two young boys cassava chips on December 18, 2024, at around 7:30pm. They quickly developed stomach pain and vomited before being rushed to the hospital.

Sadly, Ocuku died on the way, and Ocwa died upon arrival at the Gift Life Care Clinic in Lira City.

“It’s really a very unfortunate incident, we call for calmness from relatives of the deceased and members of the public,” appealed SP Okema.

“We shall conduct scientific findings to ascertain the cause of death.”

Police say they strongly condemn the act of killing and taking the law into their own hands, and they urge the public to support investigations so that those found to have committed the crime face the consequences.

As of Friday morning, the bodies remained at the Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem.