Police in Kitgum District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 30-year-old man found hanging in his brother-in-law’s bedroom in Ateng Village, Labongo Akwang Sub-County.
The deceased, identified as Godi Onencan, reportedly died on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, a few hours after being assaulted by his brothers-in-law following a domestic dispute with his wife, Lillian Achiro.
According to police reports, the incident began when Onencan allegedly assaulted his wife, who had returned to her parental home after a prior domestic disagreement. Responding to her distress call, her brothers intervened and confronted Onencan.
He was reportedly attacked and later locked in a bedroom within the family compound. It was not until approximately 12:30 PM the following day that he was found dead, hanging from a rope.
Aswa East Regional Police Spokesperson, Joe Oloya, confirmed that the case is under investigation as a suspected suicide by hanging.
"It was reported that on November 12, 2025, at around 7 PM, the deceased had a misunderstanding with his partner, which escalated into a physical altercation. The deceased was subsequently locked in one of the houses within the compound by his in-laws. Upon checking the following day, they found him deceased," Oloya said.
Onencan’s body has been conveyed to Kitgum General Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
This tragic incident marks the tenth recorded case of suicide in East Acholi since the beginning of 2025.
Nearly all of these cases have been linked to domestic violence, with others associated with drug and substance abuse or mental health challenges.
In a separate incident earlier this month, a 33-year-old man, Mark Ojok of Googwiri Village, Angagura Sub-County in Pader District, died by suicide on November 4, 2025. Ojok reportedly jumped into the fast-flowing Aswa River while intoxicated, after abandoning his friends along the Gulu-Kitgum Road.
Police are urging community members to seek peaceful resolutions to domestic disputes and to provide support to those struggling with mental health challenges.
