KWANIA – Police in Kwania District are holding five family members in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old girl
The body of Sharon Atima, who sat Primary Leaving Examinations at Aduku Road Primary School in Lira Municipality last year, was found lying near a borehole in Alyeli village, Aduku Sub-county in Kwania District.
Local leaders and residents suspect the girl could have been strangled. Mr Emmanuel Okec, a witness, said Atima’s body was first sighted by a woman who had gone to fetch water. She made an alarm which prompted people to gather at the scene.
“I rang a police officer from Kwania Central Police Station after discovering the body of the deceased and immediately they arrived at the scene,” Mr Okec said.
The deceased, who was spending holidays at her uncle’s home at Atugu village, is the daughter of Mr David Okello Amute who lives in Lira town.
The deceased’s uncle, Mr Andrew Opio, said that on Monday evening, all his family members had supper together.
“At around 9:30 pm we all entered the house to sleep and Atima and his other two younger daughters also entered their house to sleep but I was surprised to see her dead near my neighbour’s home,” Mr Opio said on Wednesday.
“She was not sick and never complained of any disease. I’m suspecting that somebody could have killed my daughter. Her father called me on Sunday and told me that he would be coming on Wednesday to take her to go and look for a secondary school in Lira,” he added.
The LC1 chairman of Atugu village, Mr Pavious Ebong, said they suspect that the deceased could have been killed by her long time boy lover. The man reportedly took off after the incident and his whereabouts remains unknown, he said.
At least five people have so far been arrested to help police with investigation into the girl’s murder.
Kwania District Police commander Edith Bassalirwa confirmed the arrest of five people, adding that they have been detained at Kwania Central Police Station as investigation continues.
