By Haron Okwir
Otuke, Uganda | Police in Otuke District are investigating a suspected suicide involving a 40-year-old Local Council I (LCI) Chairperson who was found dead early Saturday morning following a domestic dispute.
The deceased, identified as Okello Peter, was a resident of Arom Village in Omwonylee Parish, Ogor Sub-county.
His lifeless body was discovered hanging in his room located at Centre Ajul, shortly after a clan mediation team arrived at his home.
Okello, who reportedly had two wives, had been entangled in ongoing domestic disagreements with one of them, identified as Betty Apili, with whom he shared over four children.
According to his security aide, Bosco Odiya, tensions between the couple had escalated in recent days.
The matter had been brought before the Clan Chief of Otengoro Bako, Mr. Olang, who was scheduled to mediate the case on Saturday morning.
However, when the chief and his delegation arrived at Okello’s residence at approximately 7:30 AM, they were met with the shocking sight of the Local Council I chairperson having taken his own life inside his house.
The Local Council III Chairperson of Ogor Sub-county, Mr. Jasper Okengo, confirmed the incident in an interview with this news desk.
He condemned the act and urged individuals facing domestic problems to seek help from family, clan leaders, counselors, or legal channels rather than resorting to self-harm or violence.
Mr. Okengo emphasized that the laws of Uganda provide for legal separation or divorce for those in difficult relationships and encouraged residents to use peaceful means to resolve disputes.
The incident has left Arom Village in deep shock, with many residents struggling to come to terms with how a community leader could reach such a tragic decision.
Police from Ogor Police Station visited the scene, documented statements from witnesses, and later released the body to the family for burial arrangements.
