Kole, Uganda: Police in Northern Uganda’s Kole District have launched investigations into the mysterious death of a young man who had just received Shs1 million under the Parish Development Model (PDM), amid conflicting reports pointing to either murder or poisoning.
The deceased, Alan Peter Otim Junior, a resident of Alip Cell in Angai Ward, Kangai Town Council, reportedly died on Sunday night, a day after receiving his PDM cash.
Otim had used about Shs300,000 to rent a house and purchase salon equipment, intending to use the balance for a group-based enterprise, according to local officials.
Initial reports from community leaders, including LC3 Chairperson Denis Ebitu, suggested Otim may have been attacked and murdered by unknown assailants.
“From what I saw, his body had wounds. It seems he was stabbed from behind, and the knife pierced through to the abdomen. There were also signs that his neck had been broken. This appears to have been a planned attack,” said Mr. Ebitu.
He further claimed Otim was heard crying for help during the alleged assault, but no one responded in time.
By Wednesday morning, Police had arrested five suspects, including a woman believed to be Otim’s girlfriend and his landlady, in connection with the death after security offered a different version of events, suggesting possible food poisoning as the cause of death.
According to North Kyoga Police Spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, police are investigating a case of suspected food poisoning after Otim reportedly ate food prepared by the landlady, identified as Ketty Amodo, on July 12.
“On July 10, Otim reportedly opened a salon after benefiting from PDM. But on July 12, he and five others ate food prepared by the landlady. He had complained of stomach pain earlier, and by nightfall, his condition allegedly worsened,” SP Okema said.
Police said Otim’s lifeless body was later discovered on the veranda of his rented house. Forensic teams recovered food samples, vomit, and a plate used by the deceased for analysis at the Government Analytical Laboratory.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of death, with investigations still ongoing.
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