Police in the Lira district are investigating a case of murder. The crime occurred on February 26 at 20:30 am at Alit village, Adola parish, Awiodyek sub-county, Lira.
The deceased has been identified as Atoo Evaline, 39, a peasant farmer and resident of Alit village, Apingmo parish, Awiodyek sub-county, Lira.
Also read: Documented murder cases in Lango sub-region as of February 7
Okello Morrish, a 34-year-old clinical officer and proprietor of Emmanuel Medical Clinic in Corner Amach, resident of Ojwina Cell, Barogole Ward, Lira City West Division, Lira City reported the crime to the police.
Preliminary findings indicate that on the fateful day at 6:30pm, the deceased handed over her newly acquired mobile phone to her son Okori Gilbert and his friend Anyap Solomon.
The phone, purchased on loan, was given to the above to purchase internet data and download songs for the deceased.
After the downloads were completed, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, PRO for North Kyoga Region, said the phone was reportedly handed to her husband, Olungu Bonny, now the prime suspect.
“It is alleged that when the deceased returned from fetching water and demanded her phone, the suspect refused to hand it over. The son, Okori Gilbert, contacted his friend Anyap Solomon to assist in retrieving the phone,” SP Okema said in a statement.
“Upon Anyap’s arrival, the suspect reportedly accessed the phone and saw photographs of two men, which the deceased explained were her son and his friend,” he added.
The suspect allegedly smashed the phone on the ground, damaging it. As the deceased attempted to pick it up, the suspect is said to have seized it first and stabbed her with a knife below the left rib cage.
The victim fell down and began bleeding profusely. When her son attempted to intervene, the suspect allegedly turned violent towards him. The individuals present managed to separate them and advised that the victim be rushed for medical attention.
She was taken to Emmanuel Medical Clinic Corner Amach, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival before medical personnel could attend to her.
The suspect reportedly fled from the clinic immediately after realising that the victim had succumbed to her injuries. He remains at large, according to police.
Police action taken on Thursday included the registration of a murder case at Wiodyek Sub-county Police Station, later escalated for comprehensive investigations.
Statements have been recorded from relevant witnesses. The suspected murder weapon, a knife, was recovered and has been exhibited.
The body of the deceased was conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem examination.
The regional PRO revealed that intelligence-led efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the suspect. Inquiries into the matter are still ongoing, and further updates will be communicated in due course.
“The Police strongly condemn all forms of domestic violence and urge members of the public to resolve domestic disputes amicably and seek lawful intervention where necessary. Similarly, we advise the suspect to report himself to any police station for statement recording and other legal processes.”
Also read: Land dispute linked to 54-year-old Kwania woman’s murder by hacking; 1 suspect held
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