Angry Villagers burn down 22 grass thatched homes in revenge attack

By Our Reporter

27^th Oct 2022

Twenty two grass thatched huts have been reduced to ashes and several household properties looted in a revenge attack following the death of a resident of Mucwini East Sub County in Kitgum district.  

The incident that is reported to have occurred in Pederyam and Okol Likol villages is believed to have been triggered by the brutal killing of an elderly man identified as Lamton Oryema, who was stabbed thrice in the chest on Wednesday.

It is alleged that upon learning of Oryema’s demise, his clan members invaded Pederyam and Okol Likol villages targeting members of Lokide clan, whose member Richard Kilama is suspected to have had a hand in the murder.

However, the members of the Lokide clan had already fled their homes prompting the attackers to torch them.

They also looted household property, foodstuff, livestock, and poultry. Richard Okema, a resident says the attackers linked Kilama to the murder since he was involved in a land row with the deceased and court had just ruled the matter in favor of the deceased.

Kitgum Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Walire Marijan, says that it took the intervention of joint security forces Thursday morning to calm down the situation. He says that the security team also sensitized the locals to avoid any further violence in the area and allow the law to take its course.

Kitgum District Police Commander, Mansur Suwed, says that police and other sister security agencies are currently deployed in the area to monitor the security situation to avoid any further violence.

Suwed says that no arrests have yet been made in connection to the murder and revenge attack, despite the fact that they are already pursuing the fugitive to face the law.

Revenge attacks are common among the Acholi ethnic group and are characterized by destruction and looting of property.