Emotions Run High As Thousands Bury Ritual Murder Victim Apio in Soroti

On Sunday, February 16, mourners gathered at St. Immaculate Catholic Parish to pay their last respects. Rev. Fr. Michael Omaria offered condolences to Apio’s grieving family, urging them to seek solace in faith.

Tension ran high at the requiem mass for Joan Faith Apio, a five-year-old pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School, whose brutal murder has left Soroti City in shock.

Her lifeless body was discovered locked inside a staff pit latrine on February 5, sending waves of grief and fear through the community.

The tragic incident has raised urgent concerns over the safety of children in private schools.

On Sunday, February 16, mourners gathered at St. Immaculate Catholic Parish to pay their last respects. Rev. Fr. Michael Omaria offered condolences to Apio’s grieving family, urging them to seek solace in faith.

He strongly condemned the ritualistic nature of the crime, calling it abhorrent.

Outside the cathedral, emotions ran high as thousands of mourners stood in sorrow and solidarity, demanding justice.

As public pressure mounted, police intensified their investigations, leading to multiple arrests. Soroti Resident City Commissioner Peter Pex Paak addressed mourners, confirming that several suspects had confessed and would soon face trial.

"Joan's murder was like a movie. It was carefully planned, and several people played a role in killing her," Paak stated.

According to investigators, the murder was premeditated and involved at least seven individuals.

Apio and her twin sister, Achen, had only recently joined Jozan Nursery and Primary School after their mother, Evelyn Akol, was reportedly manipulated into enrolling them.

On February 3, Akol unknowingly left her daughters in the hands of those who would later be implicated in the crime.

Two days later, Apio was lured into the staff latrine at around noon, where she was murdered.

Authorities believe one accomplice waited inside the latrine while another led the child in. A third suspect allegedly washed away the evidence immediately after the crime.

Apio’s blood was reportedly collected, wrapped in black plastic, and handed to an unidentified individual who fled the scene.

“We are now hunting for the person who received the blood from behind the school fence and escaped with it,” Paak added.

Police confirmed that all primary suspects were in custody and had provided statements detailing their roles. Meanwhile, authorities are actively pursuing the individual who took the blood.

Investigations also suggest that the director of another school in Soroti played a role in persuading Akol to enroll her daughters at Jozan.

East Kyoga Regional Police Commander Damalie Nakyuha confirmed the arrests of five individuals, including Joseph Okedi, the director of Jozan Nursery and Primary School, his wife, Suzan Vivian Okedi, and head teacher David Kadimba.

She assured the public that more arrests were expected as the probe continued.

Joan Faith Apio, born on December 17, 2019, was laid to rest on February 17, 2025, at her family home in Ateuso, Kapelebyong District.

As the city mourns, the demand for justice grows louder, with parents and authorities calling for greater oversight to protect children from similar tragedies.