The East Kyoga Police have registered at least three deaths related to love affairs in Kaberamaido, Soroti and Kumi districts within two days. On Wednesday, the Police recorded the death of Abdallah Okalebo, 48, at Owalei Cell, Opuyo Ward in Soroti East City Division.
Okalebo, who comes from Bazaar Village, in Kumi District, was found dead by the roadside. According to the preliminary police investigations, the deceased was involved in a love affair with a woman from Owalei Cell who was also seeing other men. It is alleged that on the fateful day, Okalebo fought with an unidentified man who ganged up with his neighbours to kill him.
The suspects dumped Okalebo’s lifeless body along the road to his home. On the same night, a 43- year- old mother from Kaberamaido district was beaten together with her side lover when her son found them having by the roadside.
The mother, identified as Norah Alapo died moments later from Kaberamaido Hospital while the lover, Joseph Ademu, 52, is still nursing injuries in the same hospital. On Friday, a pregnant woman, yet to be identified was beaten to death by two men, Juma Opio and his brother in Cell C, Moruapesur Ward, Soroti City East Division.
Preliminary information from the neighbours indicates that the deceased became suspicious that the father of her unborn child was involved in another relationship. This prompted her to confiscate his phone, a move that allegedly angered Opio to start beating her, according to Daniel Ekau, the village chairperson.
According to the Police report, they are hunting for the suspects who are now on the run. The East Kyoga Regional Police Spokesman, Oscar Gregg Ageca, says that Police have opened investigations after visiting the crime scene and recording relevant statements.
He says that they have recovered exhibits and conveyed the body for post mortem so as to determine the cause of death. In the case of the resident from Kumi district, Ageca said that the relatives of the deceased stormed the scene with a view of avenging his death but they calmed down following the intervention of police and other stakeholders while in Kaberamaido, the son, Joseph Angai, 24 and his neighbour, Christopher Epasu, 27 have been arrested for causing death.
Ageca adds that about 90 per cent of murders in Teso are caused by family feuds including love affairs.
Teso was second to Albertine Region in Domestic Violence cases according to the Police Crime Report of 2020, some of which led to death. The regions recorded 1,486 cases and Soroti and Bukedea were on top of the list.
Juliet Agonyo, the Soroti City Council Speaker says that most domestic violence issues are caused by the inability to provide for the family. “In a family where resources are limited, some people tend to fight because of frustrations or inability to provide. A woman may be pushing for something and yet the man doesn’t have what she wants. At the end of the day, we see violence”, she said.
