Amolatar, (UG):- Police in Amolatar District have arrested six people suspected to have been involved in the beating of a 19-year-old girl and a man from Acanmakicinge village, Opali parish Opali Sub-County in Amolatar District over an alleged incest act.
The detained suspects include Ocen Bonny, LC1 Chairperson of Acanmakicinge village, Ojok Darius, Secretary to LC1 and Awena Alex, Vice Clan Chief of Oumolao clan. Others are Omunu Sam, Speaker of Oumolao clan, Alyenyu Tonny, Askari of the Oumolao clan, and Okwir James alias Olobo.
According to preliminary police findings, it is alleged that on the night of 17th and 18th Nov 2024 at an unknown time, the victim Akwir Annet and her uncle Opon Nelson were found committing the incest act.
Later on the 18th Nov 2024 morning, James Okwir mobilised themselves and beat Akwir and Opon with 20 strokes of Canes each and demanded 60,000= from them for the ritual.
However, a video of them torturing the duo went viral on different media forums and sparked the attention of the public.
SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, the Public Relations Officer for North Kyoga Regional Police confirmed arresting the suspects and described the incident as a barbaric approach to disciplining family members.
“Yes, we have them in our custody following a statement on a case of torture by some members of the Oumolao clan and investigation on the matter continues. As Police we strongly condemn this act and promise to leave no stone unturned,” Okema said.
He added that Statements have been recorded from the suspects and their files are being prepared for submission to the RSA for perusal and legal advice on charges of torture.
Joe Otim, the clan head of the Oumolao clan said the act by his team at a lower level of torturing one of their subjects is unacceptable and a breach of the clan constitution and the law of Uganda. He, however, said he does not condone incest but his team on the ground would have reported the matter to the government for further action since it was a criminal act.
“After getting them on the incest act, they would have reported the matter to the Local Council office for the case forwarded to the police. The problem is those clan leaders at lower levels always hide information from us about such occurrences,’’ Otim said.
In Uganda, torture is prohibited by the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda as amended. Article 24 – No person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman degrading treatment.
The Law provides that a person who commits any act of torture shall upon conviction be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fifteen years and life imprisonment for aggravated torture.
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