The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Oyam, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The increasing murder cases in Lango sub-region have drawn the attention of the local and cultural leaders. Statistics from the police show that 84 people have been killed in Lango in the last six months.
This implies that more than 10 people are killed in a month. The leading cause of the murders is assault, which claimed the lives of 36 people, followed by mob action with 25 cases, arson 9, domestic violence 8, poisoning 5, and one by shooting.
The cases are attributed to misunderstandings between relatives, domestic violence, and theft, which is the main cause of murder by mob action. Robert James Ajal, the Deputy Prime Minister at Lango Cultural Foundation notes that there is a number of crimes not only murder in the Lango sub-region. He says the cultural institution is using its structures to sensitize the community about criminal activities.
Ajal also called upon clan leaders and elders in their various capacities to offer support to the people who look up to them instead of being agents of destruction within the community.
Cyprian Okello, the coordinator Justice and Peace Commission at Lira Catholic Diocese attributed the high number of murder cases to frustration brought about by poverty. He believes that if the people of Lango are empowered economically, Lango will transform into a peaceful community.
Benson Dila, the Oyam district chairperson condemned the acts attributing it to the impact of past war saying many people lived in the Internally Displaced People’s camps where they learned despicable ways of solving problems.
Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson described the situation as alarming saying at least a case is recorded every day.
Okema who blamed the local leaders for not offering the necessary support to the police called on all stakeholders especially cultural and religious leaders to help the police in averting crime.
Last year, North Kyoga Police region which covers 9 districts and a city in the Lango sub-region registered the highest cases of common assault standing at 2,157, and 1,260 cases of domestic violence. The region was number 3 in terms of the general crime rate across the country.
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