Zombo, Uganda: Security authorities in Zombo District have launched investigations into the gruesome lynching of a 70-year-old woman by a mob in what officials say is a disturbing escalation of family conflicts in the area.
The deceased, Mandhawun Seletina, a peasant farmer and resident of Abeju Centre Village in Atyak Sub-county, was brutally killed on Monday afternoon after being accused of witchcraft following the death of her nephew.
Preliminary police findings indicate that Seletina had been involved in a longstanding land dispute with her nephew, Opyem Willy, 48. After Willy fell ill for several weeks and later died, relatives and local youths allegedly accused the elderly woman of bewitching him.
In a violent retaliation, a group of youths reportedly stormed her home, set three of her grass-thatched houses ablaze, dragged her to where the deceased’s body lay, and hacked her to death.
Zombo Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikobua condemned the killing, describing it as “unfortunate” and unacceptable.
“This man… was having a land issue with his aunt. He fell sick and died. Then some members of the village picked this old woman and killed her, claiming she was responsible,” Ayikobua said. “To make it worse, they are all from the same family.”
He revealed that Atyak Sub-county has been flagged as a hotspot for land wrangles, with security agencies intensifying monitoring and interventions in the area.
Police registered the incident under reference PDA CRB 139/2026 and are investigating it as murder and arson by mob.
A joint homicide team led by the District Police Commander and District Criminal Investigations Officer visited the scene, documented evidence, and recorded witness statements.
The bodies of both the deceased woman and her nephew were transported to Paidha Health Centre III mortuary for postmortem examination.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to identify and arrest the perpetrators involved in the mob attack.
The incident highlights a growing pattern of violent land-related disputes in northern Uganda, particularly under customary land tenure systems where ownership conflicts often arise among family and clan members.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2025, land-related crimes increased by 67 percent compared to 2024. Northern Uganda accounted for 33 percent of these cases, with common disputes involving boundaries (46%), family wrangles (30%), and land grabbing (22%).
In response to the rising tensions, the Alur Kingdom has directed chiefs and clan elders to take a leading role in resolving land disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
The directive was issued by Prime Minister Lawrence Opar Angala on behalf of the King, Philliph Rauni Ularker III. “The Kingdom will soon engage legal practitioners approved by the judiciary to support the implementation of ADR,” Opar said.
He added that the approach aligns with traditional justice systems and national legal frameworks, urging communities to prioritise mediation over violence.
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