Serere, Uganda | Police in Serere District have detained a primary school teacher to assist with investigations into the suspected murder of a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier whose body was found hanging from a mango tree within a school compound.
The deceased has been identified as L/Cpl Michael Ojakol, 27, a UPDF soldier attached to the 150 Artillery Brigade and reportedly deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The suspect, Mercy Iyogil, a teacher at Olio Primary School in Olio Sub-county, is being held at Serere Central Police Station as detectives investigate the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death.
According to the South Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, ASP Stephen Mukombe, the incident was reported on June 3, 2026, after Ojakol’s body was discovered hanging from a mango tree within the school gardens.
“We received a report of a suspected murder, and the Territorial Police in Serere District have commenced investigations into the death of Ojakol, a UPDF soldier who was on leave in his village,” ASP Mukombe said.
Police said Ojakol had been granted pass leave and was staying at his ancestral home in Agoltom Village before travelling to Serere District, where he reportedly visited Iyogil, his girlfriend.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the couple allegedly had a disagreement on the evening of June 2 over mistrust in their relationship. The matter was reportedly referred to the school head teacher’s office for mediation.
According to police, the dispute was resolved during the meeting, and Ms Iyogil allegedly gave Ojakol Shs100,000 to facilitate his return to his duty station.
However, after leaving the school premises, Ojakol was later found dead, hanging from a tree in the school compound. The body was discovered by a resident, identified as Dominique Oba, who alerted authorities.
Detectives visited the scene, documented evidence and transferred the body to Serere Hospital for a postmortem examination.
ASP Mukombe said preliminary postmortem findings suggest the soldier may have been killed before his body was suspended from the tree.
“The postmortem report indicates that the deceased was killed before his body was suspended on the tree. The body had also been tied several times,” he said.
Investigators are treating the death as suspected murder and are pursuing several leads.
Sources close to the investigation said a police canine unit deployed at the scene reportedly tracked a scent trail to Ms Iyogil’s residence within the school staff quarters, prompting her detention to assist with inquiries.
Serere Resident District Commissioner John Stephen Ekoom urged residents to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations.
“We ask the public to remain calm, vigilant and allow security agencies to carry out their work,” Ekoom said.
Serere District LCV Chairperson Martin Onguruco condemned the incident and called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
The death has shocked residents in Serere and neighbouring Ngora District, where Ojakol hailed from, with family members and local leaders demanding answers.
Police have appealed to anyone with information that may assist investigations to report to Serere Central Police Station.
By press time, no suspect had been formally charged and investigations were ongoing.