The police in Zombo district are investigating circumstances under a 60year old leader of local cooperative Union was murdered in cold blood last night.
Okello Jimmy, a 61-year-old male adult and Chairman of the Tea Co-operative Union was murderd on July 10, 2023, at approximately 8:30 pm, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
“Okello was ambushed and brutally murdered by unidentified assailants near Akanukuma village, situated close to the Kagera river valley. The chairman had been on his way back from watching a football match at Ayaka Primary school playground in the same Akunukuma village. Accompanying him were two individuals, Ongewun Charles and Rwothomio Ivan Anewa, who narrowly escaped the attack, which tragically claimed Jimmy’s life,” in part read a police report.
Doctors’ preliminary reports indicate that the victim suffered deep cut wounds to his head and arms, inflicted with a sharp object.
“As the investigation unfolds, eyewitnesses suggest a possible connection between the murder and a longstanding land dispute between the Jupadaa and Jupacheno clans. Disturbingly, the aftermath of the murder gave rise to a wave of retaliation believed to be led by the deceased’s relatives. On the morning of August 11, 2023, around 8:00 am, the affected group reportedly launched attacks on three villages—Gwokonyeri, Akor, and Agulu. The result led to revenge,” the police say.
Ms Josephine Angucia, the regional police spokesperson said, “People believed to be relatives of the deceased revenged by attacking three villages namely Gwokonyeri, Akor and Agulu and burnt over 100 grass thatched houses, destroyed banana plantations, looted properties and injured one only identified as Oduburu.”
“In response to these escalating tensions, local law enforcement took action. The Zeu police station, along with officers from the UPDF attached to the Gulaju military barracks in Zombo, visited the affected areas. Their mission was to assess the extent of the damage, gather statements from witnesses, and restore calm through community policing efforts. The deceased’s body was taken to Zeu Health Centre 3 for a postmortem examination before being handed over to his grieving relatives for a proper burial. As of now, no arrests have been made, as the suspects named are reportedly on the run. However, the police remain determined to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. The ongoing investigation encompasses both the murder incident, registered under Paidha Police Station CRB 070/2023, and the subsequent acts of arson and malicious property damage,”she added.
The police say that there are no arrests made yet as the named suspects are on the run, however, police is tracing for them. – reads part of the statement from the press release.
