Tolit Ivan & Agency
The Security Committee in Amuru District is ramping up vigilance in response to the arrest of a suspect in the brutal murder of a six-year-old boy in Owadi Village, Otici Parish, Guru-guru Sub-County.
Bernard Okwera, 23, was arrested on Saturday, November 23, 2024, and is currently in custody at Amuru Central Police Station, according to a report from the district security committee. Okwera is the first suspect to be arrested in connection to the murder of Emmanuel Olara, a pupil at St. Peters Nursery and Primary School in Owadi village.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the victim was playing with other children when an unknown individual abducted him, dragged him into a nearby bush, and fatally assaulted him on the neck with a sharp object on November 19, 2024. His parents were away at the time of the incident.
Olara was laid to rest on Saturday at his parents’ home in Owadi village. Geoffrey Orsbon Oceng, the Amuru Resident District Commissioner and Chairperson of the District Security Committee, confirmed that Okwera was arrested after a tip-off from the community.
Oceng explained that Okwera was apprehended in Elegu II Village, Pabbo Sub-County, while attempting to perform a ritual on Labala Hill. During the arrest, he was found in possession of a bed sheet with dry blood stains and a panga. Upon interrogation, Okwera admitted to being from Owadi village, where the child was murdered, but he declined to confirm whether he was responsible for the crime.
Michael Lakony, the L.C V Chairperson for Amuru District and a member of the District Security Committee, noted that this murder, along with two other recent killings, has left the local population in fear. He mentioned that community security meetings have been organized to increase vigilance.
The murder follows rumors circulating in the area that a group of unknown individuals was allegedly hunting for 400 human heads for rituals at Karuma Bridge, which is currently under rehabilitation by the Ministry of Works and Transport due to cracks in the structure.
However, these rumors were dismissed by security officials, with the 4th Division Army Commander, Gen. Felix Busizoori, recently stating that the claims were simply propaganda. The district security committee continues to investigate the incident while urging residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activities.
