90-year-old woman lynched at burial in Lira City over witchcraft allegations
There was drama at Gwengabara Cell in Lira City West Division after a mob descended on a 90-year old woman after being accused of practicing witchcraft at a burial ceremony.
Mary Epila, 90, a resident of the same cell joined the rest of the community on Monday afternoon for the burial ceremony of an accident victim, Stephen Engom who perished in a motor accident in Luwero District.
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However, while at the burial ground, the 90-year old was seen seated, throwing a white cavera containing a pink piece of cloth, something the mourners near her suspected to be charms.
This attracted concerns from the onlookers, and the area's local chairperson, Stephen Okori was informed.
The matter was then brought to the attention of the police in charge Angwet-angwet police post and the content of the cavera was found to be urine.
At this point, the crowd started gathering and surrounding the 90-year old. These turned rowdy and descended on Epila, continuously hitting her with stones and sticks.
Attempts to rescue the elderly woman from the rowdy crowd that accused her of being a witch were futile as they attacked a police officer carrying her on a motorcycle, overpowering him.
The North Kyoga regional Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the incident, saying the elderly woman was stoned and killed at the scene.
“A general inquiry file was registered to investigate the allegations. The son of the deceased Tom Ocero and the chairman LC1 Stephen Okori were interviewed and statements were recorded. The deceased body was conveyed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital for post-mortem examination,” says the police spokesperson, Okema.
Police said five suspects from the mob that descended on the elderly woman have since been arrested and are currently being detained to aid investigations. These include Patrick Odong, Vincent Okello, Daniel Obonyo, Dicken Ongom and, Epila Opio.
“It's quite an unfortunate incident, that on suspicion they beat, and stoned the old woman to death, as police we strongly condemned such a barbaric act, we shall do all it takes for justice to prevail,” Okema said.
Previous incidents
In Lango Sub-region, available data paints a glimmering trend of brutal murder cases, with more than 60 cases being registered between June, July, August, and September. Of these, half of the cases are linked to assault and mob actions.
For instance, On July 26, 2024, in Ayami Sub-county in Lira District, an angry mob lynched Lawrence Ojan after being accused of stealing a child for sacrifice.
This was just a day after locals in Starch Factory in Lira City lynched an unidentified suspected thief.
