Murder of Amolatar woman extends Lango’s worrying record

The Lango sub-region continues to see an increase in murder cases, with police reporting new cases nearly every week.

Amolatar district is one of the leading districts, with Lira and Oyam also in the mix.

Domestic misunderstandings, land conflicts, and other factors all contribute to these murder cases.

One such crime has been reported in Amolatar, according to the most recent police statement, issued on Wednesday, May 14.

SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, PRO of North Kyoga, said the territorial police in Amolatar district have apprehended two people in connection of suspected murder by stabbing of one Agweng Mercy, 26.

The crime was reported to the police by Opungu Jaspher, vice chairperson LCI of Adum cell, Adum ward, Etam town council, Amolatar.

Agweng Mercy was alleged to be at home with her mother-in-law Arao Mercy and her husband Otim Dan on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Adum Cell.

According to SP Okema, she was doing some domestic work. “It is suspected that the Agweng was stabbed by the husband on suspicion that she practised witchcraft and the husband allegedly later rushed her to a nearby clinic within Etam.”

SP Okema revealed that Agweng was pronounced dead at the clinic around 10 a.m.

Police officers from the Etam Town Council Police Station visited and documented the crime scene. “Statements from eye witnesses recorded.”

He announced that suspects Otim Dan, 21, and Arao Mercy, 53, had been arrested and were in police custody while investigations continued.

The body of the deceased was transported to Amolatar Health Center IV for postmortem examination.

The North Kyoga Police PRO described the death as “a very unfortunate incident.” “And it’s not the first time we are registering such a similar case.”

The regional police are calling for calmness from the relatives of the deceased while giving total assurance that the matter is in the hands of police.

SP Okema pledges police’s commitment to seeing that justice prevails through court of law.

In Uganda, a person convicted of murder is liable to suffer death. However, while this (death) is a legal option, it’s not mandatory. The Court can also impose life imprisonment for death.