The deceased, identified as Margaret Atino, 49, was allegedly killed on the night of Tuesday, July 15, 2026.
North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema said the suspect, identified as Gilbert Akaki, a peasant farmer, was arrested and detained at Apac Central Police Station to assist with investigations.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that on the night of the incident, the suspect returned home from Aluga Trading Centre and found his parents, Engena Robert and the deceased, together with his sister, Alobo Sandra, asleep in their respective houses,” Okema said.
He said the suspect later went to his father’s house demanding water, but his father advised him that it was not the appropriate time and asked him to leave.
“After his father advised him to leave, the suspect allegedly threatened to return with a panga and kill someone,” Okema said.
Police said the suspect’s father left the home to seek help from neighbours after fearing for his safety and that of his family.
“Moments later, the deceased’s daughter, who had heard the suspect talking to their mother, came out and found her lying in a pool of blood at the doorway with severe cut wounds. The suspect was allegedly standing nearby holding a panga before fleeing the scene,” Okema said.
Police officers from Apac Central Police Station and Akokoro Sub-county Police Station responded to the scene and retrieved the body, which was later taken to Apac Hospital Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
Okema said the suspect was arrested after he was found sleeping in an abandoned grass-thatched house about half a kilometre from the scene.
“Upon arrest, he led investigators to the recovery of the panga allegedly used in the commission of the offence, which had been concealed in nearby bushes,” he said.
The police spokesperson said preliminary findings indicate that the suspect had previous encounters with the law and was allegedly a habitual consumer of alcohol and marijuana.
“The suspect informed investigators that he attacked his mother because she frequently abused him and allegedly chased away his wife, leaving him without a family,” Okema said.
He added that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing as the suspect remains in police custody.