A grisly incident in Akore village, Okuda Parish, Ongongonja Sub-County, Katakwi District has left residents in shock after a man believed to be mentally unstable allegedly murdered four of his relatives, including two young children.
The tragedy unfolded on Friday night, September 5, 2025, between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m., during a heavy downpour.
The deceased were identified as Muzei Gerald Okure (80), the suspect’s grandfather; Christine Atim (54), his mother; and two minors, Martha Akiteng (7) and Josephine Agwang (4).
Another victim, Agnes Aanyu, wife to the suspect, sustained deep head injuries and was rushed to Katakwi General Hospital before being referred to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for advanced treatment.
According to Simon Peter Ongede, clan leader of the Ikorinyanga clan, the suspect—identified as Emmanuel Oucul—is a habitual marijuana user believed to be mentally disturbed. Oucul allegedly used a hoe and a pestle to carry out the killings.
Local leaders have condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and unacceptable. Katakwi District Chairperson Geoffrey Omolo confirmed that the suspect employed both the hoe and mortar pestle (locally called Arukit) to end the lives of his family members.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Katakwi, Stephen Okure Ilemukorit, expressed concern over the increasing murder cases in the district. He cited a separate incident the previous day in Usuk, where a young man was stabbed to death during a dispute over a girlfriend.
Okure strongly cautioned the youth against drug and substance abuse, warning that narcotics are contributing to rising mental health disorders and violent crimes in the region.
Police have since launched investigations into the killings, as the community grapples with the shock of losing four people in such a horrifying manner.
